GRANDPA'S HOUSE

A realistic account of a little boy's visit to his grandpa's home, distinguished by some imaginative touches (Grandpa names a sandbar ``Woody's island'' because it ``goes away and then always comes back again, just like you do'') and the fact that this Grandpa is modeled on the author's father, author-illustrator James Stevenson. Woody, who lives a long plane ride away, is young enough to be mystified by Grandpa's joshing but old enough to enjoy correcting him when he calls horses ``pigs'' or a turtle ``a rabbit.'' Their companionable times include eating an early breakfast out, going to the beach, and sharing a book. The author's pen-and-watercolor illustrations nicely capture the warmth of this special relationship and its shared pleasures. (Picture book. 3-8)