The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill

I first made Jean Merrill’s acquaintance via a gleefully destructive elephant who learns the hard way that actions have consequences. THE ELEPHANT WHO LIKED TO SMASH SMALL CARS became one of our favorite picture books. Having a copy around was an excellent personality test for other parents—reflexive pearl-clutchers/non-kindred spirits eschewed chaotic noisy singalongs of “The Smashing Song.” I picked up THE PUSHCART WAR not realizing that it was by the one and same Jean Merrill. I was struck by...