FISH AND FLAMINGO

A carefully constructed story about a singular friendship. Carlstrom's poetically honed text tells how Fish and Flamingo share descriptions of their lives (``how it felt to...float free into the light of a star shining on the edge of a wave''), rescue each other (rather implausibly), and dream of exchanging gifts of particularly beautiful sights—dreams that come true when Flamingo flies away, since (in trying to watch her go) Fish and his fellows see a flamingo-hued sunset, while, looking down, Flamingo sees the silvery fish gleaming like stars. As an explication of the idea that joy may be found in openhearted friendship, even with a natural enemy, the story is effective. Desimini's oil paintings add a lot to the child appeal: the tropical sea and brilliantly colored bird and fish are perfectly served by her sculptural modeling and rich palette of deep blues, luminous greens, and sunset colors. A bit earnest, but truly handsome: Desimini at her best. (Picture book. 4-8)