A Joseph Jacobs perennial favorite (``Johnny-Cake'') is translated into German and then back into English with no discernible gain and considerable loss of flavor. It's illustrated by two Russians (their first book) whose studied, traditional style may be elegant and skillful but is simply not appropriate to this earthy, comical nursery tale. Why, in a season when there are too many picture books even to consider, much less buy, must we be burdened with items like this oversized, pretentious mismatch? (Folklore/Picture book. 3-8)