Odds 'n' Ends Alvy

Inventive use of type and collages made from ``odds 'n' ends'' vivifies debut author Frank's quirky fantasy romp. Alvy, the quiet boy who sits in the back of the classroom, has a knack for inventing things out of the miscellany he keeps in his desk. When the recess bell rings one day, he puts a steering wheel on his desk and zooms out of the classroom, outside the school, up the street, past a group of tough-looking bikers, to his own front door, nearly into an approaching train, up into the air and back to school--all before class reconvenes. Imitating Alvy's movements, the type is set in various fonts, sizes and colors, and printed diagonally or in curves or in fitful zigzags. Karas ( Into This Night We Are Rising ) reflects Alvy's playfulness in his art, an exuberant mix of fanciful renderings in gouaches, pencils and acrylics; photos; and what he describes as ``some of his endless supply of junk.'' An imaginative production, resulting in high-velocity high jinks. Ages 5-9. (Sept.)