Inspired by his family experiences and his parents' paintings, a young boy creates four poems. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

K-Gr 3--Joyously written and illustrated, these four poems reflect the concerns of children. In "Big Shoes," the young narrator proclaims: "All I want is big shoes/Tie shoes/Fast shoes/Red and black jump high shoes./Line them up by Daddy's/and call them all our shoes." "Spin," "Noah's Moon," and "Baby Sister" round out the set. Each poem is accompanied by realistic oil paintings reproduced in luminous full color. Together they capture the spirit of African-American Noah, whose poems these are, amid his loving parents and two sisters. The artwork catches touching moments of affection and play among the family members; it enhances the text's energy by using changing perspectives and motion. Varied page design adds interest. This title will be a treat to read aloud, and newly independent readers will take to it as well.Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ages 3-6. For a young boy, life inspires art, and art inspires life, as evidenced by four short verses describing his family experiences and his parents' artwork. Using a spare but descriptive palette, a preschooler marvels at the joys of color, movement, light, and feeling as he explores the people and sights of his secure, loving home. This is definitely a kid's-eye view of what is beautiful and important in the world. "Big Shoes" extols the delights of those athletic shoes that children covet: "All I want is big shoes / Tie shoes / Fast shoes / Red and black jump high shoes." And we believe he can do anything he sets out to do as he stands triumphant in those magic shoes, because he really believes he can fly. Mitchell's rich, luminous oil paintings capture her African American subjects from every angle, imbuing them with the sparks of loving, creative kin. (Reviewed October 15, 1997)0531300420Denia Hester From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.