Orville's Odyssey

Opening on an urban scene, this wordless picture book shows Orville on his front step with a fishing rod. He casts into a puddle, an enormous fish takes the bait and the next thing Orville knows, he's underwater. The fish tries to snag him, a crab snaps at him and a friendly sea horse tries to carry Orville away. Finally he's encased in an air bubble, which floats upward and out of the puddle. While the idea of the fish catching Orville is a funny one, his ultimate escape is too neatreal odysseys tend to be a bit more complicated. Still, Demarest's goofy hero inspires a laugh or two; this is a lighthearted, if slight, story. (4-8)