Twelve Months

Following his successful The Rough-Face Girl, a retelling of a Native-American Cinderella story, Rafe Martin introduces The Twelve Months, illus. by Vladyana Langer Krykorka, a Slavic Cinderella tale. Here there is no prince, but the 12 months play the part of the fairy godmother to Marushka, returning once a year to help celebrate the harvest. The artwork evokes the rustic setting and, as the 12 months work their magic, the illustrations light up with yellows and golds, and the characters' faces reveal wonderment. ( Mar.)