Where Is the Cake?

This diverting wordless escapade centers on a stolen cake, as its title indicates, but much more happens than a mere theft and recovery. Like a scrolling videogame, each watercolor spread provides a panoramic view of a hilly valley with multiple paths and cliffs, a stream in the foreground and a profusion of animals going about their daily business. In the first spread, a doggy couple tidy up their cottage with the cake in question sitting on a table outside, just as two giant rats emerge from the woods to snatch it. A stork witnesses the crime from a tree and flies along for the ensuing chase. Downstream, a mother duck leads 11 ducklings to the water (one lags far behind), and a handsome weasel emerges from a hollow tree, toting a leaky bottle of red wine. Up on the hill, a sedate tortoise goes for a stroll, and doesn't reappear until the final page, when he solves a pressing mystery. As the pages turn, the rats scurry toward the right margin carrying their ill-gotten booty, with dogs in hot pursuit; meanwhile, everyone runs into trouble, and even more characters join the fray. Khing (Andrew's Angry Words ) sets up many loose strands, and readers will backtrack to find out why, for instance, a baby bunny is crying inconsolably or a cat has a bandage on her nose. By the conclusion, all is resolved and (most of) the characters get a slice of cake. Originally published in Dutch, this lively and very funny puzzle rewards careful concentration. Ages 4-6. (Apr.)