Tilly and Rhinoceros

Fashioned from shapes cut out of rice paper decorated with acrylic, gouache and watercolor paint, Samton's ( Everyone Asked About You ) ingenious illustrations boast brilliant hues and texture. Equally imaginative is the animated narrative, which tells of an enormous, ornery rhino who blocks the road, insisting that the various animals en route to market solve his riddle before they can pass. But none offers an acceptable answer, including Tilly Gobble, ``the tiniest goose in the neighborhood'' and compassionate friend to one and all. As winter descends and the rhino refuses to budge, the frustrated marketgoers stop coming. But big-hearted Tilly brings the stubborn beast a handmade feather pillow, quilt and large hat to keep him snug. Deeply touched by her kindness, the reformed rhino perks up even more when Tilly almost by accident solves his conundrum, and the two become fast friends, together tending to the needy. A highly successful effort from this creative raconteur and artist. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)