Listen to the Storyteller: A Trio of Tales from Around the World

In her picture book debut, Balouch's electric compositions resembling cut-paper collage bring a distinctive verve to three original tales inspired by folklore. The artist's arresting, often swirling perspectives and bold use of solid colors make a lasting impression. First up in the text is Caribbean-influenced ""The Fiddler and the Dancin' Witch,"" featuring a boy who faces a witch in a dancing, fiddling showdown in order to win a magic fiddle. The witch, sporting dreadlocks and kicking up her heels in a red skirt adorned with fish bones against an olive-green backdrop, is one of many memorable images here. In ""The Lesson of the Land,"" a Native American boy on his vision quest learns the importance of respecting the earth. And from the European tradition, ""The Face in the Lake"" stars a beautiful maiden who comes to recognize that love truly is blind. Though the evocative tales each hold their own on the page, this volume serves as a companion to an audio CD from Sony Classical (see Children's Audio/Video, Aug. 9) containing musical interpretations of the stories by three composers and narration by Marsalis and actors Graham Greene and Kate Winslet. Enjoyed alone or with its audio counterpart, this mini-collection provides an imagination-stretching jaunt for readers and listeners. All ages. (Sept.)