"Tall sister" Beth and "small sister" Jill temporarily leave their parents behind for a summer visit to their aunt and uncle's farm in this sunny picture book outing. Lindbergh's (Nobody Owns the Sky
) rhymed couplets (one line of which acts as opener and closer on each spread) describe relaxing days exploring the nooks and crannies of the farmhouse, the barn and the countryside. "Wild iris, pink lilac, peony, rose./ Beth holds a blossom up to Jill's nose./ Jill sees a hummingbird next to the hose./ Wild iris, pink lilac, peony, rose." Aunt Laura's hearty country chow is not left out either: "Chicken and biscuits, strawberry pie./ Uncle Ted heaps the plates higher than high." All along the way, Halperin's (Turn, Turn, Turn
) trademark delicate watercolor-and-pencil compositions, consisting of one large bordered painting with a smaller comic-strip-like panel that tells its own story running just below, fill in all the cozy details of flora, fauna, food and fun. These cheerful girl adventurers—and the delightful territory they cover—may well have readers longing for a similar, simple getaway. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)
