Big Pig's Hat

Married couple Smax and Ludlow invent a Wild West bully in their animated, humorous debut. One windy night, Big Pig's cowboy hat blows away. When he notices that it's missing, he storms into town and angrily accuses his neighbors--among them cowgirl Calamity Cat and meek Dirty Donkey--of stealing it. Moments later, Dirty Donkey innocently finds the 10-gallon chapeau, only to be given a much-needed rinse in a water-pistol showdown with Big Pig. Smax's alliteration ranges from unforgivably hoaky (one character bears the name ``Happy Horsey'') to inspired (as when skittish deputy ``Slipped Snake slipped into a slipper''). Ludlow's stylized illustrations, with their splashy, jangly colors and heavy black outlines, have the unmistakable look of silkscreen prints; she achieves a campy feel by combining old-fashioned cartoons with pop art technique. While the narrative dishes up rather ordinary western fare, the vivacious compositions give an attention-getting boost to this promising collaboration; children, however, may not enjoy the art as much as their parents will. Ages 4-8. (May)