THE PICTURE OF MORTY AND RAY

Pinkwater often illustrates his own wacky tales, but here he’s found a kindred spirit in Davis. Two lads, inspired by a viewing of The Picture of Dorian Gray, set out to see if they can make their own self-portraits similarly gross and cool by behaving badly. Considering who wrote this, of course they can. Davis’s pop-eyed, big-headed, dorky-looking figures resemble the Katzenjammer Kids more than a little, but Morty and Ray go about their toilet-stuffing, lunch-stomping, name-calling rampage with nary a shred of malice, and are honestly puzzled when, after dousing their friend Oscar with pickle juice, he declares that he’ll never speak to them again. But Oscar is so dazzled by their now disgusting double portrait that Morty and Ray, bored with the game, give it to him, and all three are last seen heading off arm in arm for a round of pickle juice. There may be a lesson here, but don’t bet on it. (Picture book. 7-9)