Digging to China

Alexis knows that she has a very good friend in her next-door neighbor, Marj. Though Marj is much older than Alexis, the two share many interests, such as gardening and talking about exotic places. One day while digging in the garden, Marj reveals that she has always wanted to go to China. She tells Alexis that the world is like an orange, their garden is on one side and China is on the other, and that if you dig deep enough you are sure to pop up in the middle of China. Alexis begins digging in her back yard, not mentioning her project to anyone in case she wouldn't be allowed to go. After days of toil Alexis emerges from her tunnel to find herself in the land of Marj's dreams. But because it is Marj's birthday, Alexis shortens her stay and hurries back to present her friend with a postcard. Rawlins's sensitive story of two kindred spirits is imbued with a warmth echoed in jewel-like pictures rendered in enticing earth tones. The technique of saturant watercolors heavily enhanced with colored pencil creates a marvelous textural appeal similar in density to pastel drawings. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)