Anancy and Mr. Dry-Bone

With eye-catching art and a saucy tone, French ( Rise and Shine ; Snow White in New York ) tells an original story based on characters borrowed from Jamaican and African folktales. Both Mr. Dry-Bone and Anancy attempt to win the hand of Miss Louise who is ``very clever, and very, very pretty.'' Determined to marry the first man who makes her laugh, Miss Louise is not impressed with Mr. Dry-Bone, a skeletal scarecrow in black-and-white checkered pants who woos her with his conjuring tricks. Anancy, a handsome black man, borrows clothing from various animals to create a ridiculous outfit and ends up making everyone laugh, even Mr. Dry-Bone. The story is slight, but French's language is street-smart and jazzy. The illustrations--vibrant background colors overlaid with complex black-and-white silhouettes--are singular and striking. Ages 4-7. (Sept.)