cover image The Grand Old Duke of York

The Grand Old Duke of York

Harry Sowden. Victor Gollancz, $8.95 (16pp) ISBN 978-0-575-04081-6

In simple colorful photographs, Sowden shows the Grand Old Duke and his soldiers as they march up and down the hill. The subjects of the photographs are a set of marvelous chunky wooden soldiers with flat faces, hand-painted and decorated with medals, seals and flags. The format is a sturdy spiral-bound book with cardboard pages, all a necessity for toddlers who want to tug. Including the music to this familiar song may have enhanced this book, but readers don't need to know the tune to enjoy the pictures. One slip in the design: the reversal of a photograph is obvious, due to the backwards lettering on the soldier's chest. And though the photographs are appealing, the book will likely become repetitive after a few readings. Ages 2-4. (June)