In this Swedish import, eleven-year-old Ned keeps a diary in which he recounts his observations of his friends and neighbors, his own anxiety over getting glasses, and his budding interest in Natalie. The random quality of Ned's jottings may accurately mirror the thought processes of a precocious kid, but it makes for a disparate story.

PreS-Gr 2--A unique offering. Kroll creatively captures the visual essence and diversity of the African continent and the poetic gaiety of Mother Goose. She includes 49 original verses that take on the rhythmic patterns of their traditional counterparts, e.g., Little Child'' corresponds toPussy Cat, Pussy Cat.'' The illustration of two young children eating and drinking from a bowl serves to complement the text: ``Little Child, little child/Where are you from?/Far off in Africa, under the sun./Little Child, little child,/What do you eat?/Cassava and fishes, oh what a treat!'' Twenty-eight countries are represented; full-color illustrations depict topography, urban centers, forest, jungle, desert, plain, and marketplace. Colors are rich and vibrant, reflecting the warmth of the African continent. A welcome, interesting addition.--Barbara Osborne Williams, Queens Borough Public Library, Jamaica, NY