THE LITTLE SEAHORSE AND THE CHRISTMAS PEARL

In a sort of aquatic version of "The Little Drummer Boy," a seahorse learns of the newborn King and determines to bring him a present. He rallies his undersea friends, finds a gift (a pearl) and, traveling by lantern fish, whale and, finally, by dove, is ferried to the stable. Damjan (Atuk) ably presents the familiar story line, and the unusual setting allows Reichstein's (The Eagle and the Wren) soft, luminescent artwork, rendered in subdued maritime shades, to shine. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)