LOOKING FOR DANIELA: A Romantic Adventure

The subtitle says it all: Antonio, a young street performer who dresses like Pierrot, sets off to rescue his dear friend, a rich merchant's daughter, who has been kidnapped. He helps her out of a second-story window; they are pursued by bandits, rest by moonlight under a shepherd's protection (and a single blanket); and finally--by balloon--make their way home, where Daniela's parents reward Antonio with a bag of gold. There's little suspense in the episodic story, but Lobel's illustrations are appropriately romantic without being cloying, as well as lively and quite lovely--with adroit use of decorative detail and a nice contrast between the rich night tones and the more delicate hues of the beginning and concluding scenes. Picture-book groups should enjoy this.