PATRICIA VON PLEASANTSQUIRREL

Inspired by a certain children’s classic about a “silly boy with no social graces” who becomes king of the Wild Things, snotty young Patricia decides to leave home in search of the princessdom she is sure that she deserves. Alighting at last in the Land of the Hippos, she’s offered the royal job by the rotund residents—only to discover that it’s not all wild rumpuses and cake for every meal. In fact, there are at least 230 princessly duties that come with the job, from cooking dinner for the hippos to getting them up with a rooster’s crow at five every morning. Ultimately Patricia rebels, is fired and finds herself much more appreciative of her old life when she gets back. After a later reading of The Giving Tree proves no more satisfying (she can’t figure out what it’s really about), she heads happily to bed. Illustrated with simple cartoons in yellow, purple and gray, this tongue-in-cheek mini-epic will have parents and younger fans of Proimos’ offbeat Johnny Mutton tales snickering. (Picture book. 6-8)