CITY DOG

Repeating this gentle, lyrical poem—about a city dog's response to being at large in the country—on a single page at the end is a nice touch; seeing the lines reassembled, readers can better appreciate the play of sound and sense. Kuskin's simple illustrations are equally effective; her panoramic spreads underline the way the sudden spaciousness of the world gives the dog such an unwonted sense of freedom that ``she didn't know when to stop walking/she didn't know when to stop barking.'' Childlike, she explores both countryside and shore until ``everybody/(you and me)/went home/the birds/the boats''—and still the dog ``skipped out/drinking dark air/feeling a little wild.'' Any child who's been blessed with a similar release- -whether from school, city, or something less concrete—will relate to the dog's euphoria. (Picture book. 4-8)