NEW KID ON SPURWINK AVE.

Mom insists, so the kids try to welcome Leonard to their neighborhood, but he has no use for their imaginative games: ``Naw, man, it's just the dumb dog,'' he points out when they urge him to ``Lasso that ol' steer.'' Meanwhile, Carter's lively illustrations show Leonard engrossed with rope, gears, and other paraphernalia of the young engineer. Sure enough, he turns out to have a garage full of his inventions, including a working vehicle that moves the story into fantasy. It's presented without subtlety, but first-time author Crowley gives his kids lively, believable dialogue; and while more plausible technology (especially in the illustrations) might have intrigued more, the book will entertain. (Picture book. 5-8)