ANGELS ON ROLLER SKATES

Six episodes feature familiar childhood experiences with three enterprising siblings and their parents, who manage to transform conflict into good cheer despite the circumstances. Bigun's thrill at getting his first bike sours when he can't balance, and he's furious when he catches younger sister Middlun riding it; still, she offers a useful tip--and then cleverly ensures that he doesn't take his revenge. When a beach weekend seems doomed by fog, cold, and delays, resourcefulness and patience will result in an exhilarating time. Despite the abundant detail and dialogue, the characters remain fiat, while some incidents--the delays encountered en route to the beach, or Middlun winning a poster competition--are predictable. Published in 1990 in Britain, this edition is Americanized but still doesn't explain the mysterious acronym ""NCCAFA."" Soft pencil illustrations capture the children absorbed in work and play. Adequate, but not essential.