A SYMPHONY FOR THE SHEEP

Millen's first picture book is a homespun ode to the creatures who shed their winter coats ``for we who were not wooly born,'' and a celebration of the traditional crafts of Ireland. Written in four-part harmony for shearer, weaver, spinner, and knitters, the compact verse follows the cycle (``And so it go and so it comes'') as everyone plays their part ``to spin the wool that must be spun.'' The humor and wordplay give way to breathtaking philosophical musings on the crafts involved: ``While weavers are loners/and spinners keep quiet/two knitters together/can make quite a riot/and several can gather/ together and blather/while outfitting sweaters/that outwit the weather.'' Sturdy woodcuts are a perfect match, rich, earthy, and of good cheer. (Picture book. 6- 8)