Hilda and the Mad Scientist

With a nod to O. Henry's surprise endings and Elsa Lanchester's hairdo from The Bride of Frankenstein, Adam and Thiesing create a truly odd couple in this offbeat outing. Terminally good-intentioned Hilda clomps in wooden shoes through her gemutlich, middle-European village proclaiming, ``I go where I'm needed and stay until I'm not.'' The latest object of her attentions is Dr. Weinerstein, the local mad scientist suffering from rheumatism ``in his creepy old mansion up on Vampire Hill.'' Ignoring the townspeople's warnings--and the castle's ``Go Away'' doormat--Hilda moves in with the (suspiciously green-skinned) Dr. W., turning into a nanny who would make Mary Poppins jealous. Not only do all of weird Weinerstein's efforts to do in his nursing nemesis prove bootless, but his last resort--his trusty monster-making machine--proves to be little more than a comic copier. Kids will get a kick out of the daffy duo of Adam's amusingly forthright narrative and Thiesing's (Rhymin' Simon and the Mystery of the Fat Cat) broad, cartoony illustrations. Ages 4-8. (June)