Country Dawn to Dusk

Levinson ( Watch the Stars Come Out ) and Chorao ( The Baby's Bedtime Book ) are in impressive accord in this chronicle of a day in the life of a girl living in the country. Their focus is the dramatic performance nature gives from sunrise to sunset; the child's first-person account of her day is primarily acommentary on the changes occurring in the skies above her. As she rises early and looks out her window, ``The deep orange sun peeks over the edge of the hill.'' Following breakfast and a bus ride to a tiny schoolhouse, she does her lessons while clouds gather over a lake. After ``heavy rains slap the ground'' a rainbow appears, which Chorao imbues with the same glowing pastels that tint the surrounding countryside. These arresting landscapes give way to equally effective interior scenes when the girl returns to her family's snug farmhouse. Supper is served there as the girl sees the last trace of the setting sun through her window, ending this tranquil tale on a pleasingly hushed note. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)