Mailbox, Quailbox

Legum's debut is a boon for the often-neglected middle-age-range boy and girl and for adults privileged to share the fun. Multiplying the laughs invented by the author are Shetterly's ridiculous, action-packed drawings of Mama Quail, in charge of the ""Creatures Column'' on the Weekly Territorial, and the clients who write her for advice. ``Heartsick in Kenya'' begs to know what to do about the young lion who returns to his jungle home from the big city with a Bo Derek hairdo and other humiliating airs: ``Talk about a blow to our pride.'' Mama suggests hiring out the effete fellow as a hairdresser's model, say for the Kenyan shop, ``The Mane Man.'' The parakeet ``Wife of the Life of the Party,'' Cheep Shotz, gets tips on subduing his swinging Tarzan act and so do all the wise bird's clients. Readers will want more books from this very witty author. (812)