THE HOUSE ON DEER-TRACK TRAIL

Pack rats seem to be popular protagonists this year, and here we see a fellow named Packy lead his buddies--Lonesome Coyote, Little Green Grass Snake. Chk the Squirrel and even Virginia Creeper and Lilac--in repulsing a silly young couple that's decided to renovate the old mansion they call home. After much ineffectual skittering and scare tactics, Benny Beaver delivers the coup de grace by sending the old cottonwood tree crashing through the rafters. Ronald Himler contributes some handsomely subdued drawings, and both the art and writing give the impression that a good deal of accomplished effort has been wasted on this thinly and pointlessly personalized menagerie.