MAX IN HOLLYWOOD, BABY
by Maira Kalman & illustrated by Maira Kalman
In a third romp, the debonair dog who fell in love in with a Parisienne Dalmatian (Ooh-la-la, 1991) is making a film, allowing his creator to sport with Hollywood imagery in every detail. From chauffeur-director Ferrrnando Extra Debonnaire and a bellhop who sings his greeting ("no excess that can vex us...as long as you're a winnah/But if your flick's a flop you'll be whistling for your dinnah'') to Max's assigned yesman and his yesman's yesman (Diddo), wittily caricatured types engage in satirically exaggerated film-world excesses. The sophisticated wordplay and allusions suggest adult readership; but children will also be tickled by the bantering tone, ebullient style, deftly playful art, innovative typography, and special effects ("Silent partners and laundered money provided by Viking''). For those who like this kind of thing, the quintessence of what they like. (Picture book. 8+)