From Ed's to Ned's

"Getting there is half the fun" is a big understatement when it comes to the children who populate this rhythmic transportation fantasy by Sterer (Not Your Nest!) and Cummins (Truman). Twins are sitting in front of the TV when a call comes over the tin-can phone line. They immediately head next door--but instead of walking, they "Climb to Cal's," pulling themselves hand over hand across a clothesline that connects the two houses. The three (and a ginger cat) next fly via handheld propeller machines to another friend's home ("Whirl to Will's"). Each subsequent residence adds another kid, a new mode of transportation, and another alliterative or rhyming line ("Jump from Jin's/ Dive to Dan's// Tightrope-walk from Steve's/ to Stan's," writes Sterer). After traveling by vine and cannon blast, slide and scuba, the kids finally arrive by balloon at Ned's rooftop, where materials for a huge undertaking have been assembled. A parent-mandated overnight break (even the most inventive kids have to sleep) interrupts before the final pages reveal the gang on their way to yet another friend's house--this one far, far away. Cummins's doll-like characters and the happy, single-minded aplomb with which they navigate their world are equally mesmerizing. Ages 4--7. Author's agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary. (June)