THE LAND OF RIGHT UP AND DOWN

A companion story to The Island of Fish in the Trees (1962), which was set in the Balearics, this one takes place in the mountainous country of Andorra. An American woman comes to the tiny village which is the home of Maribelle and her family to catch butterflies. Maribelle, who considers the butterflies to be her friends, is horrified at first, but then becomes fascinated by the woman's pictures and stories of insects. She even finds a very rare specimen and is rewarded with transportation and gifts for the Fiesta of Our Lady of Meritxell, which she had expected to miss. Edward Ardizzone's illustrations include his familiar black-and-white drawings as well as several double page pictures done in delicate pastels. A gentle, tenderly written story for young readers.