The Fabulous Fairy Tale Follie

Philpot (coauthor of Amazing Anthony Ant) combines reading with visual puzzles in this complicated, cast-of-hundreds outing. As giants, genies and princesses audition for the Fairy Tale Follies, the reader views the hopefuls as if from the seating area of a large theater. In scene after scene, humans and beasts alike strut across the stage in hopes of landing a part in ``Cinderella,'' ``Aladdin'' and so on; a director practices crowd control (``Wolves, I know you're supposed to be hungry, but remember-you're only acting!''). It is up to the reader to cast each part: the right page of each spread contains a list of the physical traits and clothing requisite for each role-for example, ``Puss in Boots'' must have, among other features, blue mittens and a sack tied, hobo-style, to a stick; thus the reader can rule out, from among the dozens onstage, the actor toting a hockey stick and another wanna-be wearing green gloves. Readers up for an even bigger challenge can try to spot janitor George and his sidekick, a pig, who audition in every scene-only to be recognized by the exasperated director. Not everyone will warm to the chaotically crammed spreads, but Where's Waldo? fans can look forward to hours of diversion. Ages 5-up. (Oct.)