The Ring

Maizlish's first book attests to her sparkling creativity, first-rate photographic skills and impressive technological acumen. Digitally enhanced photos tell the story of a boy who finds a plastic toy, a thick yellow ring, in a New York City park. The object's magical power is immediately evident: black-and-white photos give way to color as the child, ring around his thumb, becomes airborne. Cleverly manipulated photos show the delighted adventurer vaulting through space, shedding his coat, hat and shoes in mid-air. He flies, Superman-style, past the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, whose face appears behind him at startlingly close range. At last he tumbles back to the park, where he generously leaves the ring on the ground for the next youngster. Skillfully designed, the book uses simple white (for the ground shots) and black (for the in-air shots) borders to frame the photos. This wordless tale will set readers' imaginations soaring. Ages 4-up. (May)