MILKWEED DAYS
photographed by Gabriel A. Cooney & by Jane Yolen
Three children's slow-motion romp through a field of milkweed, led by a meditative Adam who notices that the pods, "bumpy and rough" outside, remind him of himself when he's angry and "Mommy says there's a secret beautiful Adam inside" and who then takes one home to "hold it against my cheek when I go to bed. . . For all my winter dreams." Cooney's photos provide some clarity and definition to balance an overly cherishing text, but the calculated celebration of innocence is still redolent of soda ads and pop poster cliches.