The Quarternote Cowpoke

In a small cottage in France a boy rebels against his parents, who want him to become a classical pianist. His dreams carry him in another direction: at night he breaks free and rides herd over cow-notes as the quarter note cowboy. The story is set in verse that becomes cumbersome at times, particularly at the end, when a sudden change in rhythm proves disruptive. The illustrations are vivid and painterly in a naive style, but some elements may prove confusing to young readers, such as the picture of a large angel embracing the house to show how the boy plays ""for spirits.'' No ages given. (December)