THE MIGHTY PIGEON CLUB

The eight members of the clubhouse gang (seven humans and a dog) get a taste of the ins and outs of animal care in their fourth outing. When a pigeon-raising schoolmate suddenly develops an allergy to feathers, the gang joyfully converts its backyard clubhouse to a pigeon coop—only to discover that the birds are “pooping machines.” No laundry, or open window for that matter, is safe and in no time the neighbors are up in arms. What to do? As usual, the art for San Souci’s semi-autobiographical, ’50s-era tale is relentlessly wholesome, centered on a sturdy-looking clubhouse pieced together from lumber scraps and inhabited by a diverse group of youngsters (one a dead ringer for Bill Clinton) with jug ears and open, expressive faces. Ultimately an experienced teen pigeon fancier gladly takes the flock, and the gang is last seen dancing with delight across the expansive, neatly clipped lawn. A tidy tale, with a little pigeon information, a hint of nostalgia and a generous dose of good feelings. (Picture book. 7-9)