Morgan the Magnificent

Every day at dawn, Morgan slips out of bed, climbs to the barn roof and walks on her hands along its peakuntil her father sees her. With theroof off-limits, Morgan starts practicing inside, on the highest crossbeam of the barn, after she finishes her chores. She walks it ""until she could do it with her eyes closed.'' An alarmed owl looks on. Soon she's saving a circus poster of the Amazing Anastasia. When the circus arrives, she's ready to run away and try her own act. She finds Anastasia's costume and scrambles up, nearly falling off the high wire, but Amazing Anastasia saves her with some well-timed tips on balancing. Anastasia greets her at the far end of the wire with a kiss, and from below, her father also blows her kisses. The acclaimed Canadian illustrator provides unusual perspectives in all the scenes, from farmyard to circus arena, but the rather clumsily written text does not measure up to the strengths of the art. Ages 5-9. (March)