Goldilocks and the Three Hares

Petach practices nontraditional casting and extravagant punning in this fractured fairy tale, in which Goldilocks falls down the rabbit hole. Relatively straightforward narrative counterpoints voice-bubble dialogue from Goldy and the hares (``Hey, we're rabbits, not hares!'' objects Papa; ``I know, dear,'' replies his wife.``But maybe the artist doesn't know how to paint them''). A subplot-unfolded chiefly in panels at the bottom of the pages-pits a family of mice against invading weasels (``The famous Mom and Pop robber gang-the Goze family!'' exclaims one character, to which another responds, ``Oh, sure-Pop Goze, the Weasel!''). The tale ends happily ever after as Goldilocks offers to cook the rabbits French toast by way of restitution for the purloined porridge. Petach wastes no opportunities for silly scenarios and her wordplay is of the no-holds-barred variety: ``I couldn't think of a background, so I drew a blank.'' It's up to the reader to giggle or groan. All ages. (Oct.)