THIS QUIET LADY

A little girl, pictured looking at family albums and portraits in the small illustrations in subdued colors on the text pages here, describes the vibrant full-page paintings opposite: "This baby smiling in her bassinette...is my mother"; "This young lady laughing with those boys is my mother"; "This quiet lady, lovely and large...is my mother...And here is where I begin." The simple descriptions make a good example of concrete language, but the real message is in Lobel's glowing, beautifully composed illustrations, in which every curve and form and carefully chosen detail breathes nurturing warmth and security. A familiar theme; a lovely book, powerful in its simplicity. (Picture book. 3-8)