Carousel

Rosie and Tom wait for the fair to come to their town each year, and when it is all set up, they take their favorite ride on the carousel, again and again and again. One winter, Rosie gets sick and her recovery is slow, extending into the spring. So her friends make Rosie pictures of the animals and objects on the carousel; Tom offers her a miniature musical carousel to round out the gifts. Rosie falls into a feverish dream, riding through the universe, and when she awakens, she is at last on the mend. Wildsmith shores up this somewhat sentimental story with a dazzling display of illustration; the colors shimmer like fireworks in a night sky as Rosie's imagination lifts her from the bonds of her illness. Replete with details, each page offers up game-like images to pore over, but in no way overwhelms the message of friendship. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)