Sailboat Lost

An adventure filled with wonders yet fraught with underlying danger begins as a freak wave drives a small sailboat from the safety of ``the secret shore'' and carries it out to sea. Fisher's ( The ABC Exhibit ; The Great Wall of China ) pictorial narrative, prefaced by a spare but richly suggestive poem, chronicles the journey with surprising intensity and emotion. Rendered in brilliant blues, his paintings invite imaginations to roam as they eloquently convey the excitement of the open sea and the feel of wind in the sails--even the relentless midday sun is suggested by the artwork's slight haziness. While some may consider the sequence of events somewhat contrived (a seagull and dolphins nudge the boat back to shore), this lyrical tribute to the sea will appeal to sailors and landlubbers alike. All ages. (Aug.)