A Chair for Always
Starred Review. Grade 2&ndash;4&mdash;In her fourth book about Rosa, Williams once again devises a tale filled with warmth and vitality. With Aunt Ida and Uncle Sandy living upstairs, the girl welcomes their newborn into the family. She participates in caring for Benji, and even plans for the fun they will have as he grows older. The story's central focus, however, is Rosa's beloved, velvet-rose-covered chair. Grandma suggests that the worn and stained fabric needs replacing, and her mother mentions buying a new one. Rosa puts down her foot. "Don't you even care about history?" she responds, reminding her mother how they bought the chair with saved dimes and quarters, and how it is now a part of the family. Even if she becomes president and moves to the White House, Rosa claims, the chair will go too. Her mother hugs her and replies, "Rosa, you sure do say the strangest things." Rich watercolor illustrations featuring the child and her extended family give a comfortable feeling to this heartfelt tale. In this national economic turndown, a story that emphasizes sharing with family and friends and realizing what is important in everyday life will be a welcome choice, and children who have loved Rosa before will find this book equally appealing&mdash;Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MACopyright &copy; Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.