THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP

A scrupulous note explains that, with ``minimal'' editing, this is the great Russian collector Afanasev's version, ``crafted by Petr Nikolaevich Polevoi (1839-1902), a well-known historian, archaeologist, and Shakespearean scholar.'' In outline, it differs little from Arthur Ransome's text as used in Uri Shulevitz's Caldecott winner (1968); but where Ransome is more literary and humorous, the more straightforward text here is propelled by its energetic cadence. And where Shulevitz's spacious illustrations are deceptively informal, Denise's landscape paintings are elegant, rather dark, and mysterious—and he adds a delightful touch of whimsy by using animal characters. Most of these are mice, while the species of the Fool's magical helpers reflect their exaggerated attributes: the ``Listening One,'' ear to earth, is a mole; ``Swift-of-foot'' is a hare; and so on. Some of these escape the more formal art to enliven the text. A handsome edition, with especially felicitous typography and design. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10)