The Bone Stranger

In this lackluster rendition of a Lone Ranger episode, two canines pursue lawbreakers across the Old West. By day, gray hound Boney runs a delicatessen, and his employee, Wolfgang, a German shepherd, bakes strudel. But one night, after the Raccoon Brothers have heisted a supply of ``doggie bones,'' the shopkeepers take action. Boney dons a mask and white hat, while Wolfgang puts on an Indian headband; on their trusty steeds Sauerkraut and Spot, the two track down the thieves and retrieve the bounty. A wordy epilogue, however, suggests that the Raccoon Brothers have escaped from jail and the adventures have only begun. Be that as it may, Boney and Wolfgang never establish a rapport with readers, and the references to the TV series are contrived. While the original Ranger was masked because the law was on his tail, the heroes here have no need for disguises; immigrant Wolfgang, speaking broken English to fit the Tonto role, comes off as dim-witted, despite a remark that he's ``clever.'' As for the illustrations, the paint is splotchy and the opaque browns and blue-grays lie drably on the pages. Ages 4-up. (May)