AND STILL THE TURTLE WATCHED

An old man carves a turtle in a rock as a symbol of the All- Father who watches over the Delawares. The turtle observes the years go by, white men clearing the land, the city invading the peace—and finally the hoods who spray-paint his eyes so that he can no longer see. Then a man recognizes the Native American artifact beneath the graffiti and arranges for the rock to be displayed indoors, in New York's Botanical Garden, where it can actually be seen. Moser's beautifully balanced book design and powerful paintings ably contribute to the story's dignity and purpose. (Picture book. 6-10)