The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush

Set in the days of olde, this swift-paced, large-scale adventure centers on Penhaligon, an earnest fox, who takes on the scheming feline Sir Derek and his army of ferrets in a eerie seaside village. The nefarious Derek plots to shipwreck vessels carrying the soon-to-be bride of the crown prince and then plunder the ships' bounty—and Penhaligon is tapped to thwart him. Rogan, who grew up in Wales and now works as a school librarian in Los Angeles, adds suspense and humor to virtually every turn of the curlicue plot. Other developments include a love interest for Penhaligon in the form of a saucy vixen; a duel (after Derek's blade slashes the fox's clothing, the villain says, “You'll pay for your meddling,” to which Penhaligon replies, “And you'll pay for this waistcoat”) and, of course, numerous reversals of fortune. Slade's halftone art, sometimes presented in conventional one-page scenes but often laid out in dynamic interaction with the text, represent these robust characters in theatrical costume and with plenty of personality. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)