On Top

In this wordless, colorless and almost dimensionless picture book, a sheep detaches itself from the herd and journeys up a steep mountain top. On the way, it encounters a goat and a bird. And, at the summit, it views the world from five spatial directions: east, north, south, west and down. It discovers the shape of things and the placement of things, and recognizes its own distinct identity as an individual. The value of this work lies in MacGregor's daring to use this most minimal form of expression to articulate the sheep's 30-second odyssey. Children will surely get the insight of not mistaking the forest for the tree and will appreciate the rewarding addition of an apprenticean eager-looking little sheepat the story's end. All ages. (March)