The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Lindgren, Astrid

Mirabelle

32 pp. | Farrar/R&S | April, 2003 | Trade ISBN 91-29-65821-7 $$15.00

(3) K-3 Translated by Elisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard. Illustrated by Pija Lindenbaum. In reward for helping an "odd little old man," Britta is given a seed that grows into a doll in her garden. The doll, who talks and eats and is named Mirabelle, is "pretty wild," but together the two have lots of fun. Lindgren's narration is as straightforward and direct as a conversation, and the appealing childlike illustrations employ slightly off-kilter perspectives and effective color choices.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam