Puns and wordplay are a great way to show new readers that books can be joyful nonsense. The questions in this I Can Read Book are as entertaining as the answers, and the overblown pictures pick up the playful connections (Where do aliens keep their coffee cups? On flying saucers. ). Some of the riddles will evoke loud groans, but the best have a wonderfully loony logic (What animal is good at hitting a baseball? A bat ). These jokes need sharing, and they are sure to make reading a social experience. (Reviewed January 1 & 15, 1996)

Moosic'' is the answer to the question in the title, perfectly reflecting the goofy tone of this worthy sequel to the father-and-son team's first book of riddles, Riddle City, USA! (1994). Beginning readers will have their curiosity piqued by the inventive questions (What are soft, white visitors from Mars?'') and more than satisfied by the answers (Martian-mallows''). Funny illustrations accompany each riddle, with loafing bread, grinning bugs, and smiling ships. The Maestros have captured the silliness and wordplay children of this age enjoy; the bonus is that they can read them to each other. Moosic'' is the answer to the question in the title, perfectly reflecting the goofy tone of this worthy sequel to the father-and-son team's first book of riddles, Riddle City, USA! (1994). Beginning readers will have their curiosity piqued by the inventive questions (What are soft, white visitors from Mars?'') and more than satisfied by the answers (``Martian-mallows''). Funny illustrations accompany each riddle, with loafing bread, grinning bugs, and smiling ships. The Maestros have captured the silliness and wordplay children of this age enjoy; the bonus is that they can read them to each other. A great addition to the venerable I Can Read series. (Picture book. 4-8)"

Gr 1-4--Another fine addition to the Maestros' list of riddle and wordplay books. This one will be a stretch for young readers, but the funny, colorful illustrations add contextual clues. The subjects of the riddles will be familiar to most readers-trains, bugs, mice, fish, boats. A few words are technical or unusual and will need explanation. Most of the selections involve plays on words, but some are relatively straightforward- "What animal is good at hitting a baseball?" "A bat." Children will love the silly pictures, laugh at the riddles, enjoy sharing them with others, and expand their vocabularies all at the same time.--Mary Ann Bursk, Bucks County Free Library, Levittown, PA