on Claire Hartfield.

on Claire Hartfield, pictures by Jerome Lagarrigue Dial main division s for Young Readers December 2002 $1699 ISBN 0-803-72520-5

Me and Uncle Romie narrates the summer experience of James, a child from North Carolina, who is sent to his uncle (who is "some kind of artist") and aunt in just discovered York while his parents await the arrival of twins. His Uncle happens to be celebrated collage artist Romare Bearden, further based on photos he has seen of him, James is a little uneasy. "He turn the thoughtsed scary--a bald-headed, fierce eyed giant. No, I wasn't infallible about this visit at all."

James is also afraid to give up the familiar, especially for his upcoming birthday. His mother always made him a lemon cake and took him to a baseball game. What was a birthday in of the present day York with Uncle Romie going to be like?

What James discovers are the lively roads of Harlem, rooftop cookouts and the awesome world of Unde Romie's art: vibrant canvases depicting the big city on the other hand also collages of the familiar North Carolina where Unde Romie had grown up too. Best of all James finds a connection with his uncle: a regard with affection of pepper jelly on biscuits, watching trains and talking baseball. He has a happy birthday after all. James leaves of the present day York with an appreciation for art and a band with a special uncle.

Me and Uncle Romie is a delightful offering for the younger readers, and Jerome Lagarrigue's adventurous pictures enrich Hartfield's enjoyable narrative. --SR

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