On their weekly Sunday afternoon visit, two girls have a tea party with their Aunt Flossie and try on her many hats, each of which comes with a story. Most of the stories involve the history of African-American Baltimore. Ransome's rich, glowing oil paintings present occasional problems of continuity but capture Aunt Flossie's warm relationship with her great-great-nieces.

PW called this picture book an affecting portrait of a black American family,'' also praising Ransome'selegant, expressive'' oil paintings. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)

K-Gr 2-- On Sunday afternoon, two little girls visit their Great-great-aunt Flossie, whose house is full of books, pictures, and ``boxes and boxes and boxes of HATS,'' each of which has a story to go along with it. A woolly winter hat still smelling faintly of smoke was worn by Aunt Flossie when, as a child, she witnessed the great Baltimore fire. The dark blue one with a red feather was perched on her head when, as a young woman, she watched a parade welcoming home black veterans of World War I. These reminiscences paint an interesting portrait of regional African-American history, but the highlight of the book is the girls' favorite story, which features themselves and the day the wind blew Aunt Flossie's best Sunday hat into the river. Based on Howard's memories of her own feisty, 98-year-old aunt, this is a lyrical, entertaining story that rings with authenticity. Ransome's distinguished oil paintings are gorgeous, but frustratingly dark at times. A compelling book that will draw readers back again and again. --Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library