THERE ONCE WAS A BOY CALLED TASHI

First published in Australia, this import introduces Tashi and his family, who live in a vaguely Asian landscape, with elements of Near Eastern and Western naming and imagery. Tashi sports an upturned curlicue of a hairdo, gold earrings and Mongolian style boots. When the huge ogre Gloomin comes to town, he brings winter and darkness with him. Tashi consults with the fortune teller Luk Ahead (say it out loud) and the wizard Wise-as-an-Owl, only to find that the local wicked Baron has stolen what turns out to be Gloomin’s cat. Tashi and his cousin Lotus Blossom trick the Baron, restore the cat to Gloomin, who is utterly delighted with her and her new kittens and leaves town letting the sun shine in. The watercolor images are charmingly eclectic, although the story is only marginally engaging—too bad we can’t all have a Magic Warning Bell. There’s a whole series, though, so more is sure to come. (Picture book. 4-7)