PETER RABBIT'S ABC

Not just another spinoff of the ever-popular Potter gems, but a charming reminder of some of the favorites, made into a highly satisfactory little alphabet book. Embellished by decorative initials, each double spread sports a traditional phrase (""a is for apples"") with appropriate illustrative detail on the left, and an illustration from one of the books (or, in one case, a previously unpublished picture) on the right, attributed to its source and captioned with the appropriate excerpt. The new reproductions from the originals are indeed far superior in their definition of Potter's marvelously vigorous yet delicate drafting and her subtle use of color. Occasionally size has been altered; to the devotee, bigger is not better for these diminutive masterpieces, but sizes of the framed illustrations blend well with the overall design of the 7""-square book. Unfortunately, the alphabet proved too long for the allotted pages, so the last six letters are given only a page each and are deprived of their quotes, disappointing the ear that expects a continuation of the rhythm so satisfactorily established by the first 20 letters. A great pleasure; an exciting preview of the new editions of the original books that are also to be published with newly reproduced art.