LITTLE INCHKIN

An old tale in sumptuous new clothing. In outline, French's text resembles other versions of the familiar ``Inch Boy'': A childless couple is given a tiny son who grows brave, kind, and clever while remaining no bigger than a thumb. Armed with a needle, he sails downriver in a nutshell to seek renown, joins a prince's household, and saves his daughter from two fiery demons. Then, magically, he becomes normal size and marries the princess. French's full-bleed paintings, set off by decorative endpanels, incorporate such features of 18th-century Japanese prints as stylized poses and sinuous outlines enclosing elaborate patterning, as well as the misty distances of watercolor landscapes and a palette ranging from the shadowy tones of a temple interior to the violent reds and yellows of the demons. Gorgeous. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-9)