Paddy to the Rescue

This wordless picture book engages the reader so thoroughly that putting down the book before the last plot twist is simply unthinkable. The knight errant, Paddy Pork, hears the cries of a damsel in distress and rushes to her side, with his green umbrella. There he finds a beautiful pig-maiden being robbed by a ratty-looking thief. Loot in hand, the slippery fellow escapes out the window, but Paddy pursues him, over rooftops, through cobblestone streets, out to sea, past a fruitstand, and finally, in a climactic confrontation, into a wine cellar. Needless to say, Paddy gets his rat while a bulldoggish policeman looks on. Paddy returns the stolen goods to their rightful owner, and adds his own bouquet of roses. If picture books could fade to black to the strains of romantic music, this would be the one. Half-pages between double spreads conceal and then reveal the excitement. Cheers for Paddy, and for the readers who find this book in their hands. (All ages)