THE AMAZING FELIX

An old-fashioned tale of kids making their not-so-ordinary way among the rich and famous. En route to Europe in the 20's, Felix—enjoined by his concert-pianist Papa to ``Practice, practice''—despairs of ever playing as well as sister Fanny; but he does learn some prestidigitation from a magician aboard ship. In England, while Papa plays a command performance, Fanny and three other children (``cousins of a duchess'') get trapped in a castle tower. Following the sound of music, Felix runs for help; then, while Papa interrupts his playing to rescue the frightened children, Felix mollifies and amuses his audience, finally making the delightful discovery that Papa wants to learn to palm a coin, too (``With your fingers, it ought to be a cinch,'' Felix allows). It's an unlikely but satisfying fantasy, with handsome pictures of the elegant ocean liner and country house, and lush impressionistic settings accented with the dramatic black of pianos and tuxedos—while Felix's chance to advise Papa to ``practice, practice'' makes the perfect denouement. (Picture book. 4-8)