In this jaunty concept book, a motley menagerie assembles a bounteous Thanksgiving repast. PW said, ``Bouncy illustrations give this meal a carnival-like merriment, making it a jubilant feast for the eyes.'' Ages 5-8. (Sept.)

K-Gr 2 This A to Z Thanksgiving dinner arrives on wheels as alphabetical animals scoot, skate, or bicycle their foods to the feast. Even the verbs begin with the appropriate letters. Dragonwagon's choices bring problems. The text includes many foods that are outside children's experience, and they are sure to puzzle over potluck'' andpickled peaches,'' let alone elderberry elixir'' andtrifle.'' And how does one describe a zaftig zucchini?'' Verbs such asimparted'' and kicked in'' will also be beyond children's understanding. Brightly colored illustrations are in pen-and-ink and gouache. They extend the text with such details as the animals' names on place cards at the dinner table. Animals race in against a colored backdrop while the opposite white page shows the gathering guests in various happy activities. Illustrations aren't integrated with the simple introductory and closing rhymes. When the table is empty, the text states that it is full; and when food and friends are all over the table, the words claimThere are no scraps.'' Sophisticated vocabulary and illustrative detail limit this book to one-on-one sharing with only the most persistent child. Colorful but confusing. Jane Saliers, Highland Library, Atlanta