MAISY'S FAIRGROUND

Maisy and friends visit an amusement park, but the experience is about as exciting as watching a dropped Creamsicle melt.

The breathlessly hyperbolic text—“Phew! Wow! Whoopee! Treats! Surprises! Prizes! Rides! Look here, there, and everywhere!”—is perhaps a clue that this trip needs some help. Neither it nor the incandescent colors and heavy black lines of Cousins’ art serve to rev up the seven underperforming movable rides and other attractions. The visit begins with bumper cars in which a pull tab moves only two of the visible cars (approximately 1 inch each, at that) and ends with an unconvincing pop-up Ferris wheel. This latter has seats that not only have to be loosened by hand, but in motion, often turn to show blank backs. Alas, the outing’s other special effects are likewise as lackadaisically designed as they are physically fragile.

Even confirmed fans are unlikely to give this perfunctory outing more than a quick spin.