Alamo Across Texas

First-time author Stover lauds the Lone Star state in this promising tale of Alamo--not the famed fort, but a peripatetic alligator that takes to the road after a drought dries up his river home. In his search for food, water and shade, the bright green critter investigates a ranch, the Gulf of Mexico, a swimming pool and a city fountain (``water and fishes, but what a racket!''). This ingenuous, concisely written tale lacks a strong impact, but Stover's contorted illustrations, which suggest a child's own art, speak to their audience on a straightforward level. Roads stretching to the horizon aptly indicate Texas's flatness, and brown earth and scant vegetation convey sun-baked aridity. Many animals make their homes on the range, but Stover fails to describe them by name; while the smiling, guilelessly rendered horses, jackrabbits and longhorn cattle here are recognizable, the wild pigs cause some confusion and the armadillos look distinctly ratlike. The final picture makes an agreeable summing-up: a basic map in the shape of Texas that invites readers to retrace the route of this resourceful reptile. Ages 3-up. (Mar.)