THE JUMBLIES

Ian Beck fans will enjoy his interpretation of Lear's nonsense poem chronicling the journey of the Jumblies across the sea in a sieve. He alternates scenes of their chaotic sail, at the mercy of the winds that fill their pea-green veil ("tied... to a small tobacco-pipe mast") with scenes of the green-headed, blue-handed crew performing atop tight ropes between palm trees, dancing among flowers or walking on stilts to the refrain. Ages 5-up. (May)