FLORA MCDONNELL'S ABC
by Flora McDonnell
Candlewick;ISBN: 0763601187;$16.99;1997

Bold illustrations in vibrant colors introduce the alphabet with humor and liveliness to very young children.

Suggested for up to age 3
Subjects: Alphabet

WHITE WATER
by P. J. Petersen
Simon & Schuster;ISBN: 0689806647;$15;1997

When his father is bitten by a rattlesnake during a white water rafting trip, older brother Greg must take charge and save the day. This short, action-packed page turner is also an excellent choice for a reluctant reader.

Suggested for ages 9 - 12
Subjects: Brothers | Courage | Fear | Rafting | Survival

KISSING THE WITCH: OLD TALES IN NEW SKINS
by Emma Donoghue
HarperCollins;ISBN: 0060275758;$14.95;1997

Each female narrator of these stories inhabits the place and events of a familiar fairy tale. But here the tales become lyrical, strange stories of love and friendship between women.

Suggested for ages 14 - 16
Subjects: Fairy Tales | Feminism | Homosexuality | Lesbians

THINKING ABOUT ANTS
by Barbara Brenner
illustrated by Carol Schwartz
Mondo;ISBN: 1572552107;$14.95;1997

The author's challenge to think about ants in all their variety is irresistible when accompanied by colorful paintings of these fascinating insects. Schwartz plays with scale so that sometimes the ants are life-size, while other times they cover the page.

Suggested for ages 4 - 10