The Enchanted Garden

The last words of this 10-line story are ``Out of the garden and / Back into Time.'' That should give readers a summary of the events that preceeded those words, where a pigtailed child wanders through the garden gates and is led on a astonishing chase past animal topiaries that come to life, into tea parties during which a live rabbit hops out of a party favor and in front of statues that turn into gentle playmates. The girl's world in the first frames is gray and bleak, but gradually becomes full color as she progresses along the garden path. A rabbit she has pursued becomes a stuffed toy, and the ``magic time'' has passed. Elegance prevails in this playful race, and Jenkin-Pearce's warmly tinted spreads invite readers into each scene. Ages 4-7. (Mar.)