Hilary and the Troublemakers

In this collection of five tallish tales, Leverich ( Best Enemies ) introduces Hilary, a young lady whose overactive imagination throws her into some sticky situations. In the first and liveliest story, a giant owl (who ``smelled like a pile of old clothes'') waylays Hilary as she walks to school. The exacting beast, who gobbles up her homework and new watch, won't leave Hilary alone until she informs him that owls shouldn't be awake during the daytime. Less entertaining are tales of the girl's run-ins with sheep who refuse to be counted when she cannot fall asleep, a trio of snow people who make unusual demands, a piggy bank with a mind of its own and a fish swimming in her tub. When Hilary finally is invited to spend a grown-up evening with her older siblings, it appears that these troublemakers' visits may cease. Though some of Hilary's flights of fancy are amusing, other capers are a bit plodding. Dotted throughout the text like comic punctuation, Lorraine's black-and-white illustrations enhance the proceedings with their revealing character glimpses. Ages 6-up. (May)