Wheels !: Step Into Reading 1 demonstrate the truth of these definitions for "contrary." A wiry tan-skinned boy with spiky red hair and mischievous eyes describes his deeds and delights. He bathes in spinach and collard greens and runs across the ceiling when his mother mops the floor. He wears pizza on his head and a blueberry beard. For breakfast, he likes fried rice and peanut butter, for dinner he has broccoli ice-cream a la mode. Six-line stanzas, one for each large double-page spread, are printed in a variety of type faces, colors, and hand-drawn letters. Reinforcing the zany writing are marvelous full-color ink illustrations. Large areas of flat color provide backgrounds for the boy as outrageous newborn, chef, rock star, and astronaut. Furniture, windows, and houses are tilted as if to say "something is out of whack here." This kid will appeal most especially to a preschooler's sense of humor. When he says "if you do not like me, you just haven't met me yet," most readers will agree.?Nancy Seiner, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh COBB, Annie.