Warduff and the Corncob Caper

As is true for many modern heroes, the first glimpse of Warduff isn't promising: a very fat feline, he's stuffed into the top of a garbage can, sleeping off a fish-eating binge. But when the ravenous fox Snipe threatens the barnyard, the endangered animals think of calling no one else. Debut author Head has a fine sense of visual comedy. His bold black outlines and graphic environments' geometric shapes establish a mock noir mood, and his cast has an endearing air of eager anxiety crossed with cluelessness%E2%80%94bringing to mind a cross between Sandra Boynton and Aardman, the British animation studio responsible for Wallace and Gromit. Clearly a talented illustrator, Head's first outing as an author shows some promise in that department, too. Though his prose can be overly literal ("Hooray for Warduff and his brilliant plan!"), and the big reveal of how repurposed sweet corn can defeat a foe is a stretch, he ably builds suspense during the climactic scenes ("Deeper and darker went the trail. Then suddenly...") ensuring read-aloud enjoyment as Snipe gets what's coming to him. Ages 4%E2%80%939. (Sept.)