Morning Beach

Baker's tale of a girl who loves the beach and the special meaning of the season's first visit to the shore contains evocative watercolors and simple, poetic text. Set on Martha's Vineyard, the book begins with a girl waking up in Grandma's house. She and her Mom are to take their annual first trip to the beach, as ``Grandma took Mom when she was a little girl.'' Baker accentuates circularity, showing similarities from season to season and generation to generation. When their usual path is closed, Mom finds the old trail she used to take, which now becomes her daughter's road to the beach. And like her Mom and Grandma, the girl decides to start her own rock collection. As in The Third -Story Cat , Baker's affecting illustrations portray people and animals full of life. Here, several pictures take on an unusual perspective, reminiscent of Japanese watercolors, that gives the reader a broad horizon, echoing the narrative. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)