Two Bushy Badgers

To the disgust of their fellow badgers, Arthur and Ollie ``made a promise to be friends-/ Buddies, pals, blood brothers-/ Devoted to the end.'' But on one uncomfortably hot day, Arthur insults the dinner Ollie has prepared, and Ollie gripes about Arthur's smelly toes. They stubbornly avoid speaking until, dining separately at the Foot Stomp Cafe, they wrangle over the last remaining serving of ``Mint Mackerel Surprise.'' It is ironic that Brewster, illustrator of the Fannie Farmer Junior Cookbook, serves up pictures every bit as unappetizing as the thought of Mint Mackerel Surprise. Spreads offer unsettling combinations of pale blues, lavenders and hot oranges; preserved green frogs, bubblegum-pink octopus and yellow ice cream comprise the badgers' meals. Borders and decorative touches are Brewster's forte, and the focal characters are decidedly less accomplished-the badgers have plump human feet and brown fur, and they clash drastically with the other creatures, particularly a group of Easter egg-hued forest animals. Unaccountably bizarre. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)