cover image CLEAR MOON, SNOW SOON

CLEAR MOON, SNOW SOON

Tony Johnston, , illus. by Guy Porfirio. . Rising Moon, $15.95 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-87358-785-3

"Clear moon, snow soon./ An old man in red will come to visit/ when I'm in bed." Johnston's (Cat, What Is That?) rhythmic account of a boy's anticipation on Christmas Eve borders on slight, but Porfirio (Happy Birthday, America!) expands and embroiders the premise in realistic oil paintings that offer a visual subplot. Each turn of the page tantalizes readers with glimpses of Santa (his shadow, his silhouette on the rooftop, his reflection in the tree ornaments), until, finally, the boy imagines catching the man in the act—well, his boots anyway, disappearing up the chimney. Ages 5-8. (Aug.)