Mary Had a Little Lamb

McMillan, the accomplished photographer/creator of many innovative concept picture books, has imaginatively adapted this classic rhyme into an effective contemporary photo-essay. Mary is a perky bespectacled black child who sports yellow overalls; her lamb is snowy white and understandably lovable. The children pictured throughout this fresh, appealing presentation seem relaxed and unposed, and McMillan has coaxed wonderful expressions from all his subjects--even the surprisingly personable lamb. An intriguing afterword includes the history of the poem, the original 1830 version and an excerpt from the 1857 edition of McGuffey's Old Second Reader. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)