An appreciation by Maurice Sendak and an afterword by the Smithsonian Institution's Philip Nel, who found the original Crockett Johnson artwork, add immeasurably to thedepth and poignancy of this treasure. Highly recommended for anyone who loves children's literature, grew up on fairy tales, or has a beating heart.

Known now primarily as the author/illustrator of "Harold and the Purple Crayon," Crockett Johnson also wrote the comic strip "Barnaby" in the 1940s, and retired to create mathematical expressionist art. "He also published two original mathematical theorems," according to Philip Nel's afterword to "Magic Beach." His art can be seen online at http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/group_detail.cfm?key=1253&gkey=192

Looking at his precise color-shape mathematical paintings is not far afield from reading "Magic Beach." Simple forms are full of complexities. Look at the painting "Fluxions," for example. The edges suggest a peeling back of layers and the scouring and filling, taking and accruing of the ocean's waves on the shore.

Crockett Johnson's allusive story of two children's beach visit would only be spoiled by my attempt to describe it. But reading this book was like being swept over by a breaker that knocked me flat, filled me with sorrow, washed me clean, left me alone on a blank stretch of sand. ( )

Ein kleiner Kreidestrich kann eine ganze Welt erschaffen, zumindest mit einer gehörigen Portion Phantasie. Ben und Ann spielen am Strand, Ann ist schnell gelangweilt. Doch Ben schreibt einfach Wörter in den Sand und nach der nächsten Welle erscheinen die gewünschten Dinge wirklich! So erschaffen die beiden ein ganzes Königreich. ( )