THE TURNAROUND WIND

First cataloguing a series of characters in 20 vignettes, most depicting pairs (an organ grinder and his monkey; the mayor and his wife)—although there are other special relationships (an artist with his paints; a thief looking for things to steal)—Lobel then includes the lot in a single double-spread where the dark, angry-looking wind rushes in to blow everyone awry. The bulk of the book consists of pictures that can be read either side up, with different captions—and meanings—indicating the confusion produced by the storm. Unfortunately; most don't work very well either way; and although there are some amusingly clever touches and some intriguingly nightmarish passages, the effects are often confusing. The mastery of color and design is recognizably Lobel's, and larger collections will certainly want to include this example; but, sadly, children will find it puzzling and somber in tone.