Lucky Morning

From Publishers Weekly A summer week spent vacationing in Montana proves enlightening for young Nora and her grandparents in this quiet picture book. When Nora and Granddaddy head to the river on a fishing expedition, they reel in more than the catch of the day. Along the road they happen to sight a deer, a bear and a moose--among other things--in all the splendor of their natural habitats. Without being didactic, Noll ( I Have a Loose Tooth ) intimates that Nora's brush with wildlife has kindled a lasting appreciation within her. Although there's not much of a plot here, beginning readers can meet the challenge of spotting animals with Nora, and they can easily follow along with the large, bold typeface. A cozy, comforting tone helps portray a loving intergenerational relationship, while the sprightly gouache and colored-pencil artwork depicts a sunny green countryside dotted with friendly creatures--a tempting destination for any traveler. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 1-Nora is spending a week in Montana with her grandparents. One morning she and her grandfather set off for the river to fish. Each time they see an animal form in nature-the clouds, the rocks-the child wonders if they will see the real animal, and young readers will know for certain that it will happen, for they can see each animal hiding in the woods as Nora and grandfather pass by. On the way home, each of the creatures shows itself, and while Nora marvels at their lucky morning, she and grandfather arrive home, unaware of the potentially "unlucky" encounter they just missed. While the text is suitably repetitive for young readers and is well placed in large, easy-to-read type, the illustrations are everything here. Executed in gouache paints and colored pencils, Noll's stylized illustrations are large, brightly colored scenes of a summer morning in the mountains. Her generous use of thick vertical lines suggest the tranquility of the setting. While things do not always work out so perfectly on real fishing trips, the children who go on this one will be lucky indeed.