OSWALD

The plot is simple: Oswald the Octopus and his pet dog, Weenie, need help moving a piano up the stairs into their new home. This pleasant story for young children is also about friendship and making acquaintances when you're a stranger in town, and while youngsters may find this message reassuring, what they'll really love are the barks, creaks, and other noises of a tale in which even the piano says "splinkie-splinkie." Narrator L.J. Ganser performs the book's cast of characters with unflagging gusto, and his pleasant voice and hearty sound effects will do a lot for children who might otherwise miss illustrations. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]