A crafty malefactor (Rinaldo, the Sly Fox, 1992) once again tricks his way through several funny chapters. First seen truly and deservedly bound with rope, he persuades a hare to free him, then springs his unwitting ``accomplice'' from jail and hides out in his cell. After a sleazy sojourn with a couple of gas-pumping raccoons for whom he drums up trade, and working a double deal on a field of rocks, he's royally conned in turn by a gorgeous cat- -but manages to leave his old antagonist Bruno (a duck detective) holding the bag. Gider's lighthearted, cartoon-style illustrations extend the idea that the clever fox's tricks are no more than an entertaining game. Good light reading. (Young reader. 5-9)
