Whether it's called a pacifier, a NUK, or a noo-noo, children have them, and they usually hate to give them up. Murphy, known for her funny animal takes on human family dynamics (Five Minutes Peace, A Quiet Night In), comes up with a solution to the familiar battle that possibly merits serious consideration. Granny monster thinks it's time for little Marlon to give up his noo-noo. Marlon's mom is less certain but eventually agrees. Marlon refuses to cooperate--until some bullying peers make him realize what he suspected for a while: the time is right. The solution he comes up with to soften the blow of losing his old "friend" is laugh-out-loud funny. As usual, Murphy's precise illustrations are decorated with myriad homey details and familiar objects, and the dialogue and situation are straight out of real life. Stephanie Zvirin