VOICES OF THE HEART

A labor of love for a versatile illustrator (see review, above) introduces some Chinese characters and invites readers to muse upon human nature. In 26 pages appear 26 thoughtful descriptions of traits such as virtue, shame, realization, and forgiveness. In ``Respect,'' a Chinese seal or pictograph is shown at the bottom of the page; above it, its components are broken down, e.g., the symbols for ``twenty,'' ``pair of hands,'' and ``heart,'' because ``twenty pair of hands symbolize twenty generations. When the heart acknowledges the wisdom of twenty generations, respect develops.'' Filling much of the page is a modern interpretation of the seal or pictograph, collage creations made from a range of papers, from exotic handmade pieces to paper toweling. Explanations sometimes relate the concept to Chinese history, but while Young calls this a work of ``personal reflection,'' the emotions and ideas are universal. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-11)