EDDIE'S FRIEND BOODLES

One last book (Haywood died last year at 92) from an author whose wholesome neighborhood stories are still widely read, if somewhat dated. Unfortunately, though the style here is still cheery and accessible, the events are bland and often unlikely. Boodles, known for always doing his best, would like to be a clown. Luckily, he meets one at the circus, where he becomes a minor hero by putting out a small fire; he also tries his mother's makeup, which proves to be virtually indelible, and trains his dog to be part of his act, with the result that the clog becomes overweight from too many rewards. Final insight: training can be done with love. Stock's scribbly b&w drawings are not up to her usual standard. Only for collections with an insatiable demand for this popular author.