Catch Your Death

Mommy says Emma will catch her death of cold if she doesn't wear her mittens. Her mittens, rainbow striped, chirrup a chorus of It's true! It's true! But Emma doesn't trust them. She asks her imaginary robot, "Googly, is it true?"

Googly whistles and burps; says it's not true. Emma gives her classic I-knew-it look to her mittens and her mommy. Most days, Emma's facial expressions alternate between queenly certainty and the grim Gimmes! Except when she's asleep. Asleep, Emma is the spitting...