Girl from the Snow Country

Originally published in Japan, this colorful book tells the story of Mi-chan, a little girl from the snowy north of Japan, who searches for something to use for the eyes of the snow bunnies she has made. Hidaka's delicate watercolors lend grace to an otherwise slight story about Mi-chan's trip to the marketplace, during which she kindly sweeps snow off the stone statue of Jizo, protector of children and travelers. Later, after she has found red berries to use for the bunnies' eyes, her mother tells her, Jizu ""helped you find what you wanted.'' Particularly appealing are Hidaka's portrayal of lush flowers in the marketplace, elegant arches of snow-covered branches and green-eared snow bunnies who nestle like clouds in the snow. (4-8)