'S.S.' GIGANTIC ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

“S.S” Gigantic Across The Atlantic (40 pp.; $16.00; May; 0-689-82467-X): A gleeful poke at the Titanic tale and mythology, as well as at anyone involved in boasts of “biggest,” “best,” and “most.” Pip-Squeak, a young lad in search of adventure, and unafraid to toot his own horn, meets up with adult hyperbole in the form of Captain Bragg, whose ship is the “S.S.” Gigantic, and whose gloating skills are only slightly less flamboyant than the claims he makes for his vessel. The ship survives a large iceberg (sinking it, in fact), and—unlike Titanic—gets a second chance. A shiplore send-up, in amusing stylized art. (Picture book. 5-9)