Grandfather Four Winds and Rising Moon

Chanin borrows Native American trappings for a lukewarm story espousing New Age values. Rising Moon tells his grandfather his fears about an oncoming drought, and in response the old man spins a tale of a modest apple tree and the proud pine who scoffs at her habit of embracing each new season with joy. In the autumn, for example, Apple Tree learns faith: `` `Aren't you afraid that your leaves will never grow back?' asked Pine Tree. `No, no . . . ' replied Apple Tree. `I have faith that my leaves will grow again in the light of the spring sun.' '' Four Winds points out to his grandson the wisdom of the apple tree, and Rising Moon's fears for the future are quelled. And, of course, in the end it begins to rain. The effort is marred slightly by stock characters (the wise grandfather; the impressionable lad), and more so by the illustrations, garishly colored and unduly literal-minded. Ages 3-9. (Mar.)