Librarians, faced with the dizzying profusion of children's picture books, may count on Patricia Cianciolo's "Picture Books for Children" for its ardent and insightful recommendations. The first edition appeared 23 years ago. Today Cianciolo observes "The recently published picture books have become more conceptual, more methodological, and certainly more self-assured and sophisticated". Now her guide is back in its fourth updated and expanded edition, with 75 percent of the selections appearing for the first time. The 268 choices go up through imprints of 1996. Thirty-one illustrations amplify the text. Cianciolo, a distinguished educator in children's literature who has served on leading children's book-award committees, has personally evaluated each of these books. Some selections were informed by members of the ultimate audience - children. The annotated selections are grouped in categories to reflect basic concerns of children of all ages and cultures. Titles are hardcover editions, though some are available in paper. In her instructive opening chapter, "The Picture Book: A Distinctive Work of Literary Art", Cianciolo identifies trends and describes the values and uses of picture books being produced today. She presents criteria for evaluating works of this genre. An appendix offers resources on art, artists, book illustrators and more.