Spike: Pretty Maids All in a Row

Irreverent humor goes a bit too far in this story of a shy child who comes out of his shell via bad behavior. An outgoing imaginary friend aids in the transformation of Jackson, a quiet boy whose black bow tie and sheltered habits (his family has a butler named Cosmo) peg him as an outsider at school. When even his father fails to notice him, Jackson retreats to his room and draws a stick figure with jagged hair and a bullyish demeanor; this creation ``peels right up off the paper'' and introduces itself as Spike. Only Jackson can see Spike, but the cartoon makes its presence known to others--it insults Jackson's dad (``Nice mustache. . . . Did ya dig it up in the backyard?''), shoves one of Jackson's classmates out of her chair (incredibly, she smiles at this) and hits Jackson's teacher with a paper airplane. With imaginary friends like this, who needs enemies? But obnoxiousness pays off and Jackson gets the positive attention he craves. Potter's ( My Mother the Cat ) competent illustrations recall the 1920s--Jackson's throwback vest-and-tie ensembles, slick black hair and Tom Mix poster contrast with his peers' modern attire--but the book's negative message seems inappropriate for any generation. Ages 4-7. (Mar.)