Sir Francis Drake: His Daring Deeds

The incredible adventures of Sir Francis Drake are splendidly recreated as a ballad. Well suited to the subject is Gerrard's distinctive draftsmanshipthe figures that look like middle-aged babies, the crowded scenes and fastidious patterns. His words and pictures create an intriguing miniature world, but the irony of his plundering Spanish ``chaps'' and other calculated word choices will not be lost on adults reading the story aloud. Children will find the spectacle of this unfolding life mesmerizing; this diverting and sophisticated fare is hard to resist. Ages 3-up. (May)