Tidy

A path forged through the book's die-cut holes (beginning on the cover) brings readers deep into the forest. Careful observers will notice brooms and scrubbing brushes hidden among the trees and branches, but the focus is on a badger named Pete. A rhyming text tells how Pete likes to keep everything clean: deadheading the flowers, brushing the fox, bathing the birds. Then autumn leaves start falling, and Pete struggles to keep ahead of the clutter. Each action leads to unintended consequences and a bigger mess, until he finally pours concrete over the whole thing: "No mud / no leaves / no mess / no trees. / Perfectly tidy and perfectly neat. / 'This forest is practically perfect,' said Pete." Unfortunately, with concrete covering the forest floor, Pete can no longer get into his underground home, and his dinner options have become very limited. Snuggled up inside a small concrete mixer that night, Pete admits that he might have made an error, and the next day the other animals help him rectify it. The emotionally engaging illustrations burst with comedy, personality, and interesting details (check out the CIP page), and the color palette carries the story seasonally from its autumn beginnings to its final springtime scene, closing on a messy picnic among the forest creatures. Not entirely rehabilitated, Pete hides some cleaning supplies behind his back, but the wise ants have the situation under control. julie roach