Wanted--Warm, Furry Friend

Film fans and musical comedy aficionados would recognize the plot immediately: a love-hungry boy and girl who cordially detest each other enter into lonely-hearts correspondence, only to find out that their epistolary soul-mate is the ``unsuitable'' other. Gray bunny Ralph spots ultra-chic white bunny Alice in the supermarket, and says to himself, ``Look at that strange hat. That is one silly rabbit.'' When Alice has equally disparaging thoughts about Ralph, the stage is set for hare hilarity. ``I could use a new friend,'' muses Ralph, rationalizing his response to a personal ad. The telling is delicious, as chance encounters occasion nasty ripostes, while fond, funny letters flow between the unsuspecting pair. Using splashes of vibrant, almost tropical colors against white backgrounds, Schwartz's zany, contemporary drawings make Ralph and Alice a pair to cherish--their married name should be Kramden. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)