MONTY

Arthur (a frog) and Doris (a duck) and Tom (a rabbit) depend on Monty (an alligator), or anyhow they walk on him: he swims them across the river on the way to school, and they've begun to take him for granted (``Let's see some speed, Monty!''). Then one morning Monty declares himself on vacation—maybe for ``years and years.'' The others try some alternatives—a row of turtles, a seesaw as catapult, standing on Arthur's back while he swims— each ending in an unwelcome splash, but the last gives them more respect for their erstwhile friend, who reappears (``Sometimes when I am on vacation I take a day off'') to enjoy their newfound gratitude and courtesy. Typically delightful Stevenson wit, in both the economical, cartoon-style drawings and the spare, pungent dialogue. (Picture book. 4-9)