Animal Crackers: A Delectable Collection of Pictures, Poems, and Lullabies for the Very Young

Dyer (Talking Like the Rain; The Girl in the Golden Bower) surpasses her considerable achievements in other poetry collections with a volume that not only lives up to the ""delectable"" of the subtitle but has the power to entice youngest children to cherish the richness and diversity of both language and art. In each of seven categories-Playtime; Animals, Animals; Lullaby and Good Night; etc.-Dyer includes the best work of both traditional and contemporary poets together with pellucid watercolors that simply dazzle. She gives a faintly old-fashioned look to the faces of her multicultural cast; coupled with her bold and sophisticated designs, the images have a welcome air of timelessness and help create a view of a global community of children. Regardless of the complexity of the perspective or metaphors, Dyer grounds each illustration with details that indicate her unerring understanding of the sensibilities and interests of youngest children. This sumptuous book comes with an attached satin ribbon that will mark not only pages turned but the book's remarkable pleasures. Ages 1-5. (Apr.)