Splish Splash

Illustrated with bold graphics and gingham trimmings, 21 clever poems about water burble and dance across the pages of this vivid volume. Except for Graham's introductory poem (which explains that water ``often spells surprises/ with its changing forms and sizes''), the entries are concrete poems, with the arrangement of the type reflecting the content of each verse. A work about the ocean, for example, is set in rippled lines to match the wave that ``sneaks up to snatch my toes.'' A poem describing a ``boil, boiling, bubbling pot'' features white letters that spell ``steam'' rising above a black saucepan on a stove. A poem shaped like a cherry popsicle-``popsicle/ popsicle/ tickle/ tongue fun/ licksicle/ sticksicle/ please/ don't run''-ends with red letters spelling ``sticky'' substituting for the wooden stick. A delightful blend of visual and verbal fun. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)