We'd love to wax jubilant about the upcoming Trains at NorthPark exhibit, as we treasure nothing more than smothering ourselves in Abercrombie flannel, Sunglass Hut eyewear and Neiman Marcus idiocy while pretending we're giants in an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine. Besides, the exhibit's 400-plus miniature cars and locomotives save us the trouble of starting our own amazing collection. Unfortunately, Night & Day has found something far too curious to overlook: Kids 2 and under get in free. We're not upset that the cheap bastards get the discount, but we are troubled by the notion that someone's job is deciding who's above the age limit. Does NorthPark offer a comprehensive course in baby-age confirmation? Can employees identify baby jibberish with a more intellectual tone at 27 months? And what if a little person in a diaper slips through the cracks? It's far too much to worry about, so we're gonna ride solo when visiting the Trains, which open this Saturday at NorthPark Center. Adults are $4 and "children" are $2. Call 214-361-6345.--Sam Machkovech
A Wild Hare
Kids Get Miff-ed
11/21
In 1955, a little white bunny was born. Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna invented the simple creature that would become a children's favorite for decades. According to the official Dick Bruna Web site, since her birth, Miffy behaves as either a baby or a 4-year-old, having adventures like any other child (Miffy's been to the hospital, the seaside, the playground and school). It may just be that Bruna draws her that way, but we think Miffy prefers living her life as a wee one so she can relate to all the kids who flip through her brightly colored pages over and over again. Meet the bunny that never grew up at 7 p.m. on Friday when she visits Barnes & Noble in Frisco, 2601 Preston Road. Call 972-668-2820. --Merritt Martin
A Friend Indeed
11/22
We've all met them. The "I'm not fond of animals" people. When you ask these types if there was some sort of traumatic experience involving a jabbed canine followed by spewing blood during the prepubescent years, the response, we find, is usually a faint no. It's amazing some folks just don't like 'em, considering humans have been building a relationship with Canis familiaris for at least 12,000 years. Local pet lover Dr. Diane Pomerance explores the deep bond between children and their pets in her recent children's book Animal Companions: Your Friends, Teachers and Guides. Along with the book's illustrator, Vanessa Meier, Pomerance embraces the life cycle, tying in themes of ownership happiness and animal-loss heartache. Her book signing is Saturday at Barnes and Noble, 2201 Preston Road at Park, Plano, at 4 p.m. One dollar from the sale of this book is donated to SPCA of Texas. Call the store at 972-612-0999. --Desirée Henry
