A tastefully abridged version of Gulliver's first adventure. Despite severe shortening and some rephrasing, Beneduce preserves continuity as well as the flavor of Swift's narrative, and even a soupáon of its satire--``...members of the government are chosen not for their character or intelligence, but for their skill at rope-dancing.'' Spirin's elaborate borders and paintings have an appropriately antique look, combining the dress and artistic conventions of several historical periods with darkened colors and a yellowish cast suggesting the patina of old varnish. A richly comic teaser for Riordan's earthier adaptation (Gulliver's Travels, 1992) or even the timeless original. (Picture book. 9-12)
