(4) K-3 Illustrated by Joy Allen. A rhyming text and lively artwork describe Annie's zeal for creating elaborate mud and dirt concoctions. She invites her parents to sample the goods, but they simply make her take a bath. Annie's positive attitude despite their lack of enthusiasm rings false ("No matter what I do in life, I'll do my very best"), but young readers will admire her gumption. A New Testament verse prefaces the story; recipes for edible treats are appended.

Reviewer: Anne St. John