FRACTION ACTION

Couched as five chapters in which teacher ``Miss Prime'' (a high-heeled, spectacled horse) presents sequential lessons to a class of five lively little animals, a lucid introduction to an often vexing topic. Leedy presents concepts with unusual care- -e.g., each example of half differs conceptually from the others: a sandwich cut in half; a glass half full; ice cream that's half vanilla and half chocolate. Spreads are bright with color and inviting details; diagrams are simple and clear; real-world examples are varied, familiar, and of interest to the intended audience. Both divided wholes and sets are considered; there's also a chapter involving equal sharing, one on subtracting fractions from a whole, and a creative review in which the pupils test their teacher. An excellent contribution that meets a real need for attractive early math books. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 6-9)