THE PRINCE CHILD

Rich paintings tell the thoughtful tale of animals preparing for the prince’s party. On each clean, white, left-hand page is text about an animal musing on a present for the prince; on the right is a detailed, elegant, full-page portrait of that animal in costume, anticipating the party. The gerbil brings “flowers, the color of the sun”; the heron brings a song; the snow cat brings a little crystal ball. The lizard worries about whether his speeding-ahead friend has their gift, but she assures him she does and that they’ll present it together. The animals’ costumes evoke world-wide indigenous cultures. The young prince, appearing finally on the last page, is (surprisingly) a tiny, delicate frog sitting on a lily pad wearing a minuscule gold crown. His wish for a certain particular gift implies a gentle link with a famous fairy tale, but knowledge of that tale isn’t necessary for enjoyment of this lovely piece. (Picture book. 3-7)