THE PAINTER WHO LOVED CHICKENS

Dignified figures and nearly flat depth of field give the illustrations a flavor of folk art in this story of a city artist who loves to paint chickens, and longs to live on a farm. Though pictures of people, poodles, and penguins afford him a modest living, his chicken paintings make his dream come true, when a gallery owner swoons over them and offers pots of money. He moves to the country, festoons his farm with chickens of every variety, and becomes famous. Dunrea alternates spacious, simply colored full-page gouaches with smaller, delicately brushed portraits of poultry both common and rare. By unhappy coincidence, this is similar in several respects to Porte's new Chickens! Chickens! (see review below), but the general tone is calmer, the humor not as broad, and the art has a more sophisticated look. (Picture book. 6- 8)