SAM VOLE AND HIS BROTHERS

Whenever little Sam goes out ``voling,'' his big brothers come too; whatever he brings home to Mother—nuts, daisies— Arthur and Henry bring more of it. Sam likes them, but wants to do something by himself. Setting out early one morning, he has a splendid time at first, but as he ventures into wilder territory, he likes it less and less—and just then Arthur and Henry turn up, to a hearty welcome. Firth's freely drawn soft-pencil sketches, enlivened with watercolor in soft tones, present a vole's-eye view of lush meadow and woodland, including charmingly cozy details and a deft characterization of the winsome explorer. The well-honed, repetitive text would also make an amusing easy reader. (Picture book. 3-7)