ALL YOUR OWN TEETH

In this odd but visually enticing parable from a British team, a confident pint-size painter named Stewart goes in search of the "perfect model." Taking a taxi to the jungle, he posts a sign: "WANTED: Hansum wild animal to sit still for painting. Must have all your own teeth and a nice big smile." But every animal fails to measure up to his aesthetics. "G is for Giraffe, and G is for Graceful," says one candidate, to which the boy responds, "With a neck like that, you are far from graceful." Finally Mr. Crocodile coerces him into portraiture and promptly eats him. It may be challenging for young readers to conclude what moral this draconian resolution illustrates. Stewart himself lacks the rakish charm of a full-fledged enfant terrible. Gale's collage and mixed-media illustrations, however, buoy up the volume considerably. Incorporating everything from Russian invoices to a canine parody of van Ecyk's The Arnolfini Wedding, they possess a cheeky élan. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)