Reviews of new children's books (for all ages)

[Steve Brock]

Here are several short reviews of new children's books:

For all ages:

SLEEP RHYMES FROM AROUND THE WORLD edited by Jane Yolen.
Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, 910 Church St., Honesdale, PA, 18431,
(717) 253-1164, (717) 253-0179 FAX. Illustrated. 40 pp., $16.95
cloth. 1-56397-243-3

REVIEW

Yolen, one of the only living authors to have her own publishing
imprint, has collected lullabies from seventeen different nations
and presents them with illustrations from a native of each
represented country. The rhymes, from Italy, Finland, Turkey,
Ukraine, Uganda, the Abenaki Indians of the United States, and many
others, are written in their original language and translated into
English. Sadly, there is no music, so it is hard to make these
into lullabies that are sung, but the gentle cadence will send
children to dreamland with mother and the guardian angels close at
hand. Recommended.

DORLING KINDERSLEY ART SCHOOL SERIES: OIL PAINTING PORTRAITS by Ray
Smith, AN INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING by James Horton. Dorling
Kindersley, in association with the Royal Academy of Arts, 232
Madison Ave., N.Y., NY 10016, (212) 684-0404, (212) 684-0111 FAX.
Illustrated, index, glossary. 64 pp., $16.95 cloth, each. Oil
Painting is 1-56458-491-7, Drawing is 1-56458-489-5.

REVIEW

The differences between these two mediums become readily apparent
as both authors take potential art students through short histories
and discussions of materials, techniques, layout, composition,
expression, lighting, and depth. Colorful examples proliferate,
and the reader is encouraged to attempt his or her own projects.
Stimulating and sure to kindle the artist's passion. Highly
recommended.

ANIMAL BABIES: A HABITAT-BY-HABITAT GUIDE TO HOW WILD ANIMALS GROW
by Steve Parker. Rodale Press, Inc., 33 East Minor St., Emmaus,
PA, 18098, (800) 441-7761, (215) 967-3044. Illustrated, index,
maps. 176 pp., $35.00 cloth. 0-87596-595-4

REVIEW

Parker, who wanted to be a biologist since the age of six, has
assembled over 300 photographs of kids, joeys, cubs, kits, and
other youngsters, divided by habitat, such as forests, grasslands,
and the seashore. Each entry describes the birth and development
of the baby, while a factfile gives statistical details. Of all
the books on animal babies published this season, this is by far
the most comprehensive in scope and presentation. Highly
recommended.