PreS-K Directed to a child from a wistful parent's point of view, this picture book acknowledges and celebrates the change of routine and pace that a young child brings into a home. "I never imagined, before you came alongthat our house could get this messy and LOUD!" With each page turn, the illustrations, done in pen, brush, and ink, bring humor to the nonstop day as Mom and the cat take everything more or less in stride while the small daughter bounds exuberantly through all of it. Vases break, little blocks injure Mom's feet, and everything gets dirty, sticky, or smelly. After listing these more challenging daily aspects of parenting, the story slowly turns, expressing glimpses of amazement and wonder, until "Since there was you, I'm always surprised at how much fun you are, and how GINORMOUSLY I love you." Finally, the exhausted mother manages to get this little ball of energy (mostly) to sleep in her arms, recognizing that "dreams really do come true." The fun and expressively active line drawings nicely balance the text, keeping the story from becoming too sentimental or exhausting. VERDICT While children may enjoy the humor and the cozy but fast-paced story, this book ultimately serves as a helpful pep talk for the tired grown-ups in their lives. Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA