SILENT LOTUS
by Jeanne M. Lee & illustrated by Jeanne M. Lee
Inspired by the 12th-century temple at Angkor Wat, Lee sets a tale in long-ago Kampuchea (Cambodia). Lotus is lovely, but silent from the day she is born. However, by quickly comprehending her parents' gestures, she learns to represent her name with her hands; ultimately, she finds a worthy calling when she becomes a dancer at the king's palace, telling ``tales of gods and kings'' with her graceful gestures. Lee illustrates this simple but pleasing story with elegantly decorative paintings, bright with subtly contrasted color, their clean compositions reminiscent of Allen Say's art. (Picture book. 4-8)