Clarence Goes Out West & Meets a Purple Horse

Adams makes her debut with this unambiguously titled picture book, which concerns a greenhorn pig's trip to a dude ranch. Clarence decides to take a vacation ""Out West,"" but when he arrives, he feels too shy to kick up his heels. Then he meets Smoky, a horse with a violet coat and sunset-red mane (""I will teach you to ride and wrangle and jingle your spurs on Saturday night!""). The duo kick up a high time until Smoky discloses a terrible secret: the ranch plans to sell him. Clarence comes to the rescue, and the acrylic illustrations, in desert hues of terracotta orange, turquoise and jade green, picture the soulmates' adventures thereafter. This cowboy tale bogs down in clunky dialogue, however, and ends on a peculiar note. Although the talking animal pals seem to be equals (an opening scene at the ranch shows horses and pigs relaxing together after dinner), Clarence buys Smoky and fantasizes about a rodeo act, ""Clarence the Line Dancing Pig and His Famous Purple Horse Smoky."" On the other hand, Adams ends in praise of companionship; a parting shot shows horse and pig, liberated from loneliness, enjoying freedom together. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)