Gentle dragons and endearing sea creatures

No Dogs Allowed!

Sonia Manzano, illustrated by Jon J. Muth

Simon & Schuster/Atheneum: 32 pp., $15.95

SONIA Manzano, who has played Maria on “Sesame Street” for more than 20 years, makes her picture-book debut with a tale bursting with color, energy and a bit of Latino flair. Seven-year-old Iris recalls the day “a long while ago, when I was six” when she and her family, including her beloved pooch, El Exigente, picnicked at Enchanted State Park. Assorted relatives, friends and neighbors form a caravan of vehicles stuffed with food and a wild collection of favorite objects. After a bout of car trouble and an unexpected detour, the clan finally arrives at the lake, only to be greeted by a sign reading “No Dogs Allowed.” Papi’s sensible solution -- “We should take turns staying with El Exigente in the parking lot until we figure out what to do” -- means that the sweet-natured pup enjoys a dog’s life of attention for the rest of the day. As Manzano orchestrates a variety of distinct character voices into one joyful symphony, illustrator Jon J. Muth (“The Three Questions”) uses the fluid lines of his often witty ink-and-watercolor compositions to fill in all the details of Iris’ memorable family: cook-extraordinaire Mami and her pots of picnic fare, Cousin Carmen the Beautiful and her “traveling beauty parlor,” and Aunt Tuta the Happily Married and her Brand-New Husband, constantly entwined in a dreamy-eyed embrace. This boisterous family’s summer outing makes an exuberant statement about the ties that bind -- both human and canine. Ages 3-7

*

The Reluctant Dragon

Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by John Segal

Scholastic/Orchard: 40 pp., $16.95

For this elegantly designed volume, Robert D. San Souci (“The Talking Eggs”) breathes new life into the sword-and-scales genre with a snappy adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 short story. The book stars a most unusual dragon who prefers poetry, pacifism and sing-alongs to murderous pillaging and destruction. (“I’m too lazy to make enemies.”) Jack, a shepherd’s son, befriends the dragon, but his fellow villagers see the fiery beast as “an enemy of the human race” and call in St. George. Smart-thinking Jack convinces George to talk to his friend, and together they concoct a scheme to stage a battle so the dragon can be saved. The faux fight is deliciously scary (“The dragon, enjoying the drama, reared and roared and rampaged”), and young fantasy fans will enjoy both the ruse and the happily-ever-after resolution. Matching the text’s dynamism, John Segal’s (“Musicians of Bremen”) illustrations seem a happy cross between medieval manuscripts and comic-book panels. Narrow rules frame each page, accentuating the oversize vertical format, and Segal’s small, cartoon-like illustrations captioned with phrases from the text float in a sizable white background. The less-is-more sensibility of the design offsets the somewhat insistent message about looking beyond appearances and overcoming prejudice. San Souci’s fluid storytelling gives the story a modern feel, and Jack’s peaceful problem-solving sets a winning example. Ages 5-9

*

Mister Seahorse

Eric Carle

Philomel: 40 pp., $16.99

In this original, entirely engaging book, Eric Carle adds to his rich cache of endearing animal characters while delivering some intriguing information about several underwater species. Father fish come to the forefront here -- and deservedly so. When Mrs. Seahorse announces that it is time for her to lay her eggs, Mr. Seahorse affably asks, “Can I help?” She then lays her eggs into a pouch in the belly of her mate, who earnestly announces, “I’ll take good care of our eggs.... I promise.” Then, drifting through the sea, the expectant pater meets up with other fish who are also carrying -- or protecting -- eggs, such as Mr. Tilapia, who carries eggs in his mouth, and Mr. Kurtus, who has stuck his mate’s eggs on top of his head. Chipper Mr. Seahorse gives each words of encouragement (“Keep up the good work”; “You must be very happy”; “You are doing a fine job”). Between each of Mr. Seahorse’s encounters, he unknowingly swims by other sea creatures, cleverly camouflaged behind curtains of seaweed, a coral reef and a rock. Yet readers spy all of these hidden critters when they lift acetate pages, adding a delightful dimension to this first-rate fish tale, capped by a winsome, child-confidence-building finale. In his elegant painted tissue-paper collages, Carle innovatively balances pastel hues with shocks of brilliant color, creating an appealing seascape that succeeds swimmingly. Ages 4 and older

*

I Already Know I Love You

Billy Crystal, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles

HarperCollins: 40 pp., $16.99

Comedian Billy Crystal’s unabashedly sentimental poem to his first grandchild rather clumsily starts on the opening endpapers, where the verse begins, “I’m waiting to see you in ballet shoes or is it football pads?” and concludes, “I can’t believe I’m writing this, ‘cause I don’t know who you are.” The rhyming narrative that follows echoes this hypothetical tenor (“I’m waiting to show you everything, / hear your giggles and your sighs / see butterflies and monkeys / and clowns who cross their eyes”), as Elizabeth Sayles’ (“This Mess”) softly focused, emotion-filled pastels reveal a devoted grandfather and a girl -- as an infant, toddler and elementary schooler. They engage in such activities as playing in the waves, sharing a strand of spaghetti, watching a baseball game and (reinforcing the narrator’s unremitting affection) enjoying a variety of hugs. The verse’s rhythm and rhyme at times falter and several passages are awkward (a picture of the narrator gazing upon his newborn grandchild in a hospital nursery accompanies this text: “Your mom is my daughter, / and your dad is his mom’s son. / You lived within your mommy, / but now the time has come. / Get ready, sweet little one -- / your life will be just great”). Yet Crystal’s name and the inherent appeal of his theme should put this in the spotlight on the grandparent/baby gift bookshelf. All ages

*

The Fish in Room 11

Heather Dyer, illustrated by Peter Bailey

Scholastic/Chicken House: 160 pp., $15.95

HEATHER DYER makes a sparkling debut with this droll tale set at a British seaside hotel starring Toby, a boy who was discovered in an empty room of “The Grand” when he was a baby, “clean (except for a little bit of seaweed between his toes).” When Mr. Harris, the cranky manager, finally notices the lad (“Who’s that boy in the pajamas?.... Hasn’t he been here rather a long time?”), he makes Toby perform endless chores. The good-natured boy’s life brightens when, while walking under a pier, he encounters Eliza Flot, a mermaid who lives with her parents in a cave behind a wall of seaweed. After the Flots give Toby a valuable ring (a clue to the boy’s birthright), Mr. Harris notices it and precipitates an onslaught of interlopers in search of hidden treasure. The young hero fears that the Flots’ residence will be discovered and -- with the help of an old sea captain and a kind woman (Mr. Harris’ cousin) who live at the Grand -- plots to disguise the finned family as hotel guests. Dyer weaves the details surrounding this ruse, the downfall of the comically villainous Mr. Harris and Toby’s identity into an enchanting story; Peter Bailey’s pen-and-inks make the most of the comic moments. The novel’s seaside setting, the feisty young protagonist, spry dialogue and understated wit bring to mind some of Hilary McKay’s books set at the beach (“Dog Friday”; “The Amber Cat”). This winsome caper is just right for newly independent readers. Ages 7-9

*

Paper Parade

Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Ed Briant

Simon & Schuster/Atheneum: 48 pp., $15.95

This rhythmic romp, which marches along at a bouncy clip, features meticulous 3-D paper sculptures of an amiable red-headed girl with braids, her mischievous Siamese cat and an assortment of fantasy creatures. Upon hearing a compelling sound, the girl leans out the window of her construction-paper apartment building: “What’s that? / Tickity-tat / Is it a clock? / Tickity-tock / It’s a parade! / Tickity-tum / With a great big round bass drum. / Ba-rum-pum-pum.” Onomatopoeic words keep the beat as she asks her mother whether they can watch: “Let’s go! / Clap-clap / But no. / Tap-tap / Baby brother Joe needs a nap, nap, nap.” Stuck indoors, the girl heads for her desk and, “snip-snippety-snip,” creates paper sculptures while her blue-eyed kitten plays with discarded scraps. As an iridescent moon rises, the artist pictures the girl dreaming that she is dressed as a leopard, heading a “paper parade” of toy animals. Among the attendees are a mermaid, a shiny robot with tubelike arms and an intricately crafted green monkey with a fringed tail. When the girl awakens in a better mood, she turns her paper crafts into a mobile for her younger sibling. The narrative moves at a bright pace, thanks to Sarah Weeks’ (“Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash”) catchy “tickity” repetition. Meanwhile, the book spotlights the imaginative puppet-like constructions of debut artist Ed Briant, despite uninspired layouts. The full-bleed tableaux here, with their computer-generated pastel backdrops, look strongly two-dimensional. Readers must look closely to see that the characters are articulate, detailed models, rather than software renderings. Briant makes the most of paper, scissors and plot. Ages 3-6

*

The Daddy Mountain

Jules Feiffer

Hyperion/Di Capua: 32 pp., $15.95

Parents who enjoy interactive play should select this book, in which a child scales a stoical “Daddy Mountain.” Each page focuses on the red-haired knee-high girl who tells the story. The father, drawn in a nubbly, granite-like charcoal that contrasts with the watercolor-and-ink sketches of his small daughter, is too tall to fit on a page; readers see only his legs and torso as the child makes her steep ascent. The girl fortifies herself before beginning (“Fruit juice gives me energy”), then hauls herself up a pant leg (“It’s harder than you think”). The father’s knees obligingly bend to give the mountaineer a rest until she can grip his belt, but otherwise he offers no assistance. Giving instructions to the audience as she goes, the girl reaches his button-down shirt: “If you grab hold of his skin, he’ll get mad.” Using a shoulder and ear, she drags herself to the summit and calls her mother to “Come quick!” At the terrific conclusion, a vertical gatefold opens up to picture the gray Daddy Mountain transformed into a grinning full-color person (with a girl on his head). After several darker-themed but equally satisfying books such as “The House Across the Street” and “I’m Not Bobby!” Jules Feiffer breaks for some lighthearted, affectionate fare. He writes and draws from the girl’s point of view, emphasizing the relative sizes of child and parent. He makes a plaything of the adult, who silently endures all manner of humiliation during this game. Youngsters will want to try this sport at home. Ages 2 and older

*

The Ribbajack And Other Curious Tales

Brian Jacques

Philomel: 176 pp., $16.99

BRian JAcques, working more in the vein of his “Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales” than his “Redwall” fantasies, offers up half a dozen short horror/morality tales. The title story concerns Archibald Smifft, a truly fiendish 11-year-old being raised at a British boarding school, whose evil plan to conjure a fearsome beast called the Ribbajack backfires in spectacular fashion. In “A Smile and a Wave,” a solitary trip through a haunted school library teaches a girl gratitude for her home and mother. “The All Ireland Champion Versus the Nye Add,” a neatly constructed fish tale, crackles with the feel of a story told aloud at a pub, thanks to a spirited narrator (“Well, I’ve told you the tale now, so I’ll go on me way an’ bid ye good day. But it’s a true story.... “). The volume closes with “Rosie’s Pet,” a werewolf yarn that revels in its British trappings and, especially, in its own playful attitude. The plots are familiar and at times feel fragmentary, but Jacques’ deft wordplay and masterly tone add compensatory gusts of pleasurable thrills. Ages 10 and older