A Photo for Greta

Greta, a young rabbit, loves her father, a photographer who %E2%80%9Ctravels all around the world taking pictures of very important people.%E2%80%9D Admiring the framed pictures he%E2%80%99s taken of NASA astronauts, an Olympic gold medalist, musicians, and a winner of a gold-bunny %E2%80%9COscar,%E2%80%9D she wishes to be famous and photo-ready herself. So when her father is away taking pictures of a circus and a ballet, Greta dresses like an acrobat and ballerina, and her father takes her picture when he returns home. And when he%E2%80%99s photographing a country music band, a cowboy boot%E2%80%93wearing Greta plucks %E2%80%9Ca sad and lonely tune on her guitar,%E2%80%9D because he won%E2%80%99t be back until after she is asleep. As she did in Disappearing Desmond, Alter displays notable sensitivity to children%E2%80%99s insecurities and doubts, while providing reassurance of their worth. Her acrylics have a comforting sturdiness, and readers who similarly take pride in their parents%E2%80%99 professions, even as they miss them in their absence, will relate both to Greta%E2%80%99s role-playing when her father is away and their tender time together when he comes home. Ages 5%E2%80%938. (May)