FOUR BRAVE SAILORS

A delightful brief verse is amplified and embellished by some of Caldecott Honor winner Tafuri's most beautiful illustrations. The sailors are toy mice in a ship on a small shelf above a sleeping child's bed; coming to life, they go out to a sea suggested by the wallpaper. ""They do not fear/the storms, They do not fear/The whales, They do not fear/The pirates [seabirds]/With their scarlet sails. Their courage/Is a Legend/For all to marvel at./They are afraid/Of nothing--/EXCEPT/MY/TIGER/CAT""--and so come home to safety. Perfectly cadenced, with touches of both humor and mystery, Ginsburg's text is well complemented by Tafuri's fantastical sea, intrepid adventurers, cozy toys and warm, sly cat. Bold, black outlining is invaded by large, stylized figures in black line and watercolor, combined with oversized boldface type in a striking, elegant design. Just right to share with the youngest.