PARDON ME, MOM. Chislett, Gail. Illustrated by Joanne Fitzgerald. Toronto, Annick Press, c1986. unpaged, paper, ISBN 0-920303-69-2 (cloth) $12.95, 0-920303-68-4 (paper) $435.CIP Pre-School-Grade 2 Reviewed by Janet E. Goldack Volume 15 Number 1 1987 January Fooling an adult is a youngster's dream. Michael, a typical six-year-old, develops convenient hearing when Mother attempts to call him for breakfast. An examination of Michael's ears reveals such things as a sticker collection, an orange caterpillar, marbles, a pet ladybug, gum, a water pistol, and three cookies, which, even when removed, do not seem to improve his hearing. Mother, in desperation, even examines her own tongue before rolling her eyes and turning grey. Michael's hearing miraculously returns when cookies are offered in place of a bacon and eggs breakfast. The true-to-life characters and the gentle water colour illustrations reveal the exasperation of Michael and his Mother in this, the author's third children's book. Children can readily relate to this realistic story, but caution regarding putting objects in ears and noses should be expressed by the presenter. Janet E. Goldack, Grant Park H.S., Winnipeg, Man.