A beginning reader version of the tar-baby story lacks all the spirit and fun of the famous original, and the illustrations are lifeless.

All Stuck Up introduces the classic trickster Brer Rabbit, who outwits his old foe Brer Fox. The final sentences promise more attempts by Brer Fox at catching Brer Rabbit--and readers will be waiting. Chartier's drawings show Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox as delightful villain and trickster. Instead of the black tar baby found in other retellings, this story features a burlap-colored boy covered with sticky stuff.'' Molly the Brave and Me presents Molly, admired by Beth because she hasguts.'' Beth is flattered when Molly invites her to stay overnight at her house in the country; when the girls get lost, Beth is the one who gets them home. The illustrations show show children with various skin tones, hair types, etc. However, they are inconsistent: Molly's parents are light-skinned in one picture and dark-skinned in another. But the focus is the two friends, who could easily represent children from an interracial neighborhood--a good model for young readers. Both books have appropriately sized type, logical and comprehensible texts, and good stories for emerging readers. Molly is slightly longer but will be enjoyed by its target audience. Always in demand, these read-alone books will be welcome additions to most libraries serving young readers.-- Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA