The Seven Silly Eaters

Based on writer-narrator Mary Ann Hoberman's 1997 picture book, illustrated by Marla Frazee, the iconographic-animated The Seven Silly Eaters delivers a rhyming chronicle of the hectic life of Mrs. Peters and her throng of finicky-eating rugrats. With the birth of first child Peter (Peter Peters, natch), Mrs. P. learns to accommodate the youngun's taste for warm milk. Next child Lucy loves pink lemonade, but not from a can, mind you, only homemade. Second son Jack goes crazy for applesauce made from scratch, and the culinary hassles continue as the kids keep coming: Mac needs his oatmeal strained of all lumps, Mary Lou wants her “soft and squishy” home-baked bread, and twins Flo and Fran both like eggs, but of course one wants only fried, and the other only poached. Understandably, Mom grows tired of her tykes' demands, but when her rascally brood surprises her with a special birthday cake, she couldn't be happier. Recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)