Celebrating America

Multiculturalism and old-fashioned Americana jostle for space in this overambitious anthology, which aims to create, Whipple writes, ``a pastiche of art and poetry that represents the uniqueness of the American spirit.'' While the goal may be laudable, the collection proves more deflating than inspirational. Whipple's selections are somewhat eclectic, from a passage from Longfellow's ``Paul Revere's Ride'' to verse by Gwendolyn Brooks, and the art ranges from a Thomas Cole Romantic landscape to a Jasper Johns minimalist map (despite the attempt at inclusiveness, contemporary Hispanic authors and artists are underrepresented). The groupings of image and poem, however, are ruled by an almost numbing literalness. A traditional sailing song is paired with a sailing scene by Winslow Homer; Edward Hopper's famous ``Nighthawks'' is reduced to illustration for Whipple's own ``My Dad'': ``My dad works late in a coffee shop/ to put bread on the table,/ he says.'' The unfortunate result is to encourage children to view art for its narrative content only. Furthermore, the determinedly egalitarian layout and small reproductions do certain artists, especially the abstract expressionists, a real disservice. Ages 7-up. (Sept.)