THE WORLD AT SIX

An attempt to recapture the world of a six-year-old boy, this series of anecdotes about young Flip Valckenier and his Dutch family and friends fails as a study of childhood because of casual characterizations and a confusion in point of view. The friends of Flip-sharp-tongued Granny, Tony the delivery man, the maid Aaje, and little Nellie from next door are shadowy and unreal and even Flip himself seems unusually perceptive for a child of six. However, portraits of children seen through the child's eyes are unusual and this family novel may well stimulate interest in this approach. There is an illicit relationship and emotional conflicts proceeding from jealousy with the adults, but this element is delicately understated. We do not recommend this for the average young adult.