BEATEN BY A BALLOON

Mahy (Boom, Baby, Boom, Boom!, 1997, etc.) takes aim at weapons fixation in this madcap picture book. Mr. Appleby rejects his son Sam's pleas to make or buy him violent toys, although it means that both have to put up with sneers from well-armed neighbor Hacky Mackie and his father. Laden with marketplace purchases, the Applebys are standing in line behind the Mackies at the bank when in springs (literally, attached to his feet) Buckbounder the bank robber. The Mackies fall to their knees in terror, but Sam distractingly pops a balloon, his father jams a chocolate cake up Buckbounder's nose, and Sam administers the coup de grÉce with a flowerpot. The dazed robber is led off in cuffs, and the Applebys collect a big reward. This tale is not exactly a triumph of nonviolence, but offers the insight that pacifism does not equal helplessness; Allen's vigorous, broadly comic illustrations complement the no-frills story nicely. (Picture book. 6-8)