OOH LA LA (MAX IN LOVE)

Here, the gifted dog-poet (Max Makes a Million, 1990) journeys to Paris in the springtime, allowing his creator to sport with the visual ambiance of that lovely city and with bilingual wordplay. With a palette as subtle as the light on Montmartre and a notably free, sophisticated style, Kalman incorporates witty references to artists and their work in her own delightfully lively paintings. Much of this will be lost on the young, as will the full effect of her marvelously rich language; still, the slapstick and the sheer comedy and music of the words will carry some children along, especially if a talented reader shares the book aloud. P.S. At the end, Max takes his new love, Cràpes Suzette, to Hollywood, suggesting a sequel. P.P.S. The creatively designed CIP is worth the price of the book. (Picture book. 5+)