THE LA-DI-DA HARE

Clever wordplay and a marvelous island bestiary distinguish this rhymed wonder quest from Lewis (Black Swan/White Crow, 1995, etc.). Mouse suggests to Honeypot Bear that they set sail for the magical Island of Oh, ""to hear the applause of the Red Lobster claws/For the beautiful La-di-da Hare."" Honeypot Bear obliges by becoming their boat, Mouse navigates (""Honey! Bear right!"") and takes the honorary title of Commodore, and when they reach Oh, La-dj-da Hare welcomes them lavishly: She decks them out in Bermuda shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and cool designer shades, then rustles up some deli sandwiches for the whole island crowd. The Crocodile accepts a pastrami on rye, Oyster and Blue-clawed Crab tuck into deviled eggs and dill pickles, ""And who prefers a pat of peanut/Butter on a bun?/The Owls sat think-blinking that/Might do. 'Yoo-whoo!' said one."" La-di-da Hare convinces the two to remain forever, ""For animal crackers/And wheels of bleu cheese--/And a bungalow, boys,/For as long as you please!"" They are persuaded, and remain there to this day. It's a good subversive touch--let's have none of that home-in-time-for-tea stuff. Bluthenthal's animated illustrations are an excellent complement, in beachcombing colors of sand and surf, convincing in the depiction of a place awash in fresh, salt breezes.