The Wise Woman and Her Secret (Aladdin Picture Books)
Grade 1-2-- A story about a woman and the villagers who demand to know the ``secret'' of her wisdom. They, of course, want quick answers to difficult questions. Her only response is to allow them to look around; they ransack her place, but leave unsatisfied. Only small Jenny, who lingers, wonders, and expresses curiosity, at last discovers the secret--never stated outright--which is that wisdom comes from savoring the world and the moment. Of course, she grows up to be a wise woman herself. A text with profound implication is without pictures that are equally intense and mysterious. Graves's paintings are extremely pretty and unremittingly romantic, embellished with continually recurring curves in an art nouveau manner: tendrils of vines and hair; spiraling folds of clothing; bending lines of lip, eye, and cheek. Their sentiment will undoubtedly appeal to many, but some will feel that Jenny's quest is still unfulfilled. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TXCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.