Looking for Angels

When her grandfather plans a day of looking for angels, Sarah is dubious. She knows what to look for: chubby cherubs and ""wings white as moths""; but she is certain that ordinary days reveal no such marvels. But Grandfather has ""everyday"" angels in mind, and with his prodding, Sarah begins to notice earthly wonders. The garden is studded with ""jewels"" (""glittering"" raspberries and ""winking"" butterflies); a backyard ""circus"" flourishes, thanks to the gymnastics of a squirrel and a nuthatch. Gregory (Through the Mickle Woods) alternates a tender, genial prose text with delicate three-line poems, introduced to coincide with Sarah's discoveries. Sometimes, however, the subtle scent of nature is overwhelmed by the poetry's perfume: ""Like the yellow-eyed cat, all whiskery and warm,/ the sunlight on the rumpled quilt/ purred its patchwork dreams and yawned."" The close perspectives of Baker's (The Antique Store Cat) sunny, diffused watercolors invite readers into the contentments of nature. Even her stillest compositions dance with light, enveloping the audience in their warm glow. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)