Rosy's Garden

An attractive compendium of flower lore framed within a simple story, this book by Ichikawa ( Dance, Tanya ) should appeal to practicing gardening enthusiasts and lovers of plants and flowers. During Rosy's summer-long visit to Granny's country house, she is introduced to all manner of blooming things, from roses to cherry trees. She learns how to identify herbs (and how to make ``herby sandwiches''); the hallmarks of a Spanish garden (flowers there are ``bigger, and bolder, and brighter'' than Granny's); and how flowers have been celebrated in poetry (e.g., by Robert Burns). The illustrator's hand, though horticulturally sure, renders Granny and her beloved ``Chief Assistant'' in a somewhat static style. All ages. (Mar.)