Beware Beware

La curiosit ̌invite ̉la fort̊, ̉l'insčurit;̌ la chaleur de la cuisine, l'amour de la mr̈e, ̉la sčurit ̌de la maison. Illustrations recherchěs ̉cachet rťro. [SDM].

PreSchool-Grade 2-This British import depicts a little girl's exploration of the dark, mysterious woods surrounding her home. The quiet, poetic text, featuring subtle rhymes and emphatic phrasing, expresses the hidden drama of her simple quest. The child, safe and warm in her mother's kitchen, longs to discover "what's out there." As the sun sets, she creeps out into the snow and then into the woods. She finds the seemingly still forest alive with sprites, goblins, and eerie beasts. She emerges from her adventure to find her anxious mother waiting for her with outstretched arms. Once again safe inside, the girl glances toward the curtained window, contemplating what she saw. This is an effective portrayal of a young child's fascination with the unknown. The illustrations, suggesting a place long ago and far away, add to the mystery. Barrett's dramatic use of color, texture, and light creates a captivating and haunting atmosphere. Warm blues and golds of the kitchen give way to icy pinks and whites of the sky and snow, and to shadowy greens, browns, and grays of the forest. Children will enjoy searching for the hidden dangers in each picture, but adults may find some scenes slightly overdone and melodramatic, and the use of split pages to portray the forest walk seems gimmicky. Ann Jonas's Trek (Greenwillow, 1985) portrays a similar adventure in a more lighthearted, less ominous way. Despite its flaws, Beware Beware is an entertaining purchase.
Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.