From My Window

Wong's brief text--waking up on a snowy morning, a boy ``looking down on the street'' glimpses various objects outside--offers little that's new, instead focusing the reader's attention on Rich's inviting artwork. Ranging from closeups of the youngster getting dressed, brushing his hair, etc., to panoramic views of the city's trees, streets and buildings blanketed with snow, these borderless, full-spread illustrations contrast the familial warmth inside with the wintry beauty of the outdoors. Though many elements seem rudimentary (wooden facial expressions, stiffly rendered fingers and hands), the paintings' intense coloration, bold outlines and frequent aerial perspectives coalesce into a visually engaging whole. The artist's portraits of a loving African American family in an apparently multicultural neighborhood create for preschoolers a safe and welcoming city landscape. Ages 2-8. (June)