AT THE PARK

Words associated with a child's favorite outing receive playful depictions.

Individual objects focus first on the natural world (bee, flower and pond) and conclude with belongings young children can control (sun hat and ball). Doubly thick, substantial boards support bold, dark outlines filled with solid colors and sparkly, textured interiors. The compact pages and unassuming backgrounds maintain focus on the large designs. Whimsical type defines each highlighted contribution. The title may elicit thoughts of zooming down the slide and flying high on the swing, but there is no playground equipment or picnic tables here. (An ice-cream truck does make a sweet appearance.) The pictures layer over one another as chunky die-cuts double dip for two images. The shimmery center of the hot-pink ice-cream cone also serves as the sheen of a bouncing ball; a blue-and-white polka-dot patch provides fabric for a stylish sun hat and the ice-cream truck's body.

Add this light trek to babes' growing visual repertoires. (Board book. 0-18 mos.)