GRANDFATHER'S ROCK

A tale similar in theme to Grimms' ``The Wooden Bowl.'' Grandfather is too old to care for himself, so Father takes him in, though the family is so poor they have scarcely enough food. ``He fed me before I could work,'' he says. ``Now that he cannot work, I will feed him.'' Everyone loves the old man's stories- -especially the children, who forget their tasks to listen. Still, life is so hard that Father finally agrees to take the old man to the old people's home. Sorrowfully, the children carry his things, making a plan along the way. When they stop to rest, they tell Father that years hence, when they're taking him to the home, they'll pause at the same rock. Point made, they turn joyfully for home. ``But what will we tell Mother?'' Suddenly, the children realize that, if they share the work, there will be enough for all. Strangis's narration of this wise, gentle story is gracefully straightforward; Gamper depicts her native land in lively, elegantly patterned watercolors, capturing the lovely landscape and family dynamics with equal facility. This isn't every family's answer; but its generosity is still worth pondering. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-9)