THE MAGIC PIZZA

If the vehicle that carried Nicky and Mr. Cavatini to Central Park had been a flying carpet, and the material they used to catch the notorious dognapper had been something as ordinary as a rope, then no one would give this a nibble. As it is, what Nicky's new Crime-Buster ring activates is one of Mr. Cavatini's pizzas, and what they pour over the dognapper to hold him till police arrive is sticky dough and a large can of tomato sauce. None of which takes the story out of the empty calorie class, though it might supply the passing appeal of a snack that you dig into just because it's there. Inessential, for sure.