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A scant 350 words tell matter-of-factly about the Hargraves baby, who is born into a very weak family but grows superstrong once its mother begins feeding it mashed avocado. One night it chases away a burglar. Next day Mr. Hargraves puts a BEWARE OF THE BABY sign on the gate. Soon the baby is moving furniture and pushing the car when it won't start. In the final three-spread sequence, two bullies hassle the older Hargraves children and the baby jumps out of its stroller and throws them into the pond. With mediocre illustrations such a conceit might be as weak as the Hargraves - but Burningham's cartoons, as expertly ingenuous as the words, bring out all the kinetic humor of the situation while maintaining the tone of the text. (Kirkus Reviews)
