Night at the Fair

Step right up! Crews (Freight Train) gives young readers an open-ended ticket to the glittery goings-on after dark at the county fair in his energetic new picture book. In Crews's fair, clusters of food stands and game booths festoon the midway, and Crews perfectly captures the glow of kaleidoscopic candy-colored lights against a black night sky. Bold signs announce Funnel Cakes, Corn Dogs and Win Big Prizes to passersby. In several expansive spreads, kids--their faces flushed with excitement--ride the carousel, giant Ferris wheel and the whirler, which twirl and twinkle like gigantic fireflies in the dark. Crews's text is minimal but captures the thrill of a child (""And now,/ on to the/ RIDES!""). The busy scenes filled with a rainbow of people eating, laughing and carrying stuffed animal prizes will have readers longing for the warm nights of summer and the next county fair. Ages 4-up. (Apr.)