Little Critter has a musical hobby . . . and it's noisy! He's excited about his new drums, and this means playing them everywhere. But Little Critter soon realizes that he might need just a few more lessons before he's ready for his own rock-and-roll band!

"Mercer Mayer's Little Critter" series adds a musical note with this story for young readers and listeners who want to rock. The Critter family (an unidentifiable shaggy-haired species) attends a parade, where Little Critter decides he wants to play music. After he tries out a variety of instruments at Buzzard's Music Store, his remarkably indulgent Dad buys him a drum and signs him up for lessons. Even though he's driving his sister crazy, Little Critter just can't stop banging away; meanwhile, his parents look on adoringly. When his sister, in desperation, hides the drum, some young siblings may feel indignant that she's the one who's reprimanded. Well, lessons will eventually have some effect, and Little Critter dreams of the day when he'll rock with the "Wild Critters Band." Attentive youth can find a wealth of amusing details in the bright, cartoon-like illustrations of crowded scenes and a chaotic household. To those who've sampled the series before, the Critter family and friends (including Gator and a small spider and mouse who pop up everywhere) will be reassuringly familiar, although music teacher Buzzard, an aging hippie, will probably amuse parents more than preschoolers. This series from the prolific Mayer is strictly for the very young—older kids will have learned that parents don't always smile so tolerantly on their every whim. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft