One Afternoon

The kinetic energy of life in the big city motors this zippy picture book right along. As young Minho and his mother do errands in their neighborhood, the boy soaks up the sights and sounds. And following visits to the laundromat, hair salon, ice cream parlor and supermarket, the weary Minho finds that turning off the noise isn't easy to do. Sounds work as a design element here; onomatopoeic words (e.g., ``thump,'' ``eeeek,'' ``whurra'') set in snappy, flowing typefaces are part of the artist's landscape. They also contribute to making the volume a peppy read-aloud. Through her third-person narration, first-time author Heo (illustrator of The Rabbit's Judgment ) captures with great effectiveness the impressions of a child in his busy surroundings. Her textured mix of oil, pencil and collage leads readers on a rich visual hike over urban terrain. Scenes of apartment buildings, bustling street traffic and a spirited game of stickball, all in earthy hues, show a city at its vibrant best. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)