The Playtime Treasury

Subtitled ``A collection of playground rhymes, games, and action songs,'' this often heavily British-flavored collection is a pleasing, well-priced addition to a crowded field. Peppered with perky ink-and-wash drawings, the oversize book is arranged in six broad headings: Action Rhymes and Singing Games, Dancing Rhymes and Games, Handclapping Rhymes, Dipping and Counting-Out Rhymes, Skipping and Ball-Bouncing and, finally, Hiding, Guessing, Tickling and Chasing. Parents and teachers will warm to the variety of the finger plays, while children will likely delight in the jump rope sections. The complete lack of musical accompaniments for the familiar--and more importantly, the unfamiliar--songs and rhymes is a disappointing aspect of an otherwise engaging work. An alphabetical index and a subject index are included. Ages 4-12. (June)