In Just-Spring

Taken from cummings's first book of poetry published in 1923, the three poems here, ``in Just-spring,'' ``hist whist'' and ``Tumbling-hair'' have been newly interpreted in pictures by the author of Seasons and When I Grow Up. The title poem with its ``puddle-wonderful'' allusions to spring, when ``eddieandbill come running from marbles,'' may be better known than the others, though all succeed in capturing the feelings of youth and work well as a collection for children. The poem ``hist whist'' recalls the fears of ``little ghostthings,'' goblins, toads and witches. In contrast to the freewheeling lines of poetry that cascade down each page and spill across empty spaces with energy and playfulness, Goennel's characteristic cut-out shapes set on plain color backgrounds seem a somewhat heavy choice. But the book does capture the sheer exhilaration of poetic images and will introduce readers to the genius of cummings's work. Ages 4-8. (May)