Sody Sallyratus

In keeping with the backwoods theme of Ashpet and their other fairy tale retellings, the Comptons people this lively folk story with a hillbilly cast. An author's note decodes the odd title, explaining that ``during the early days of American history, baking soda was called saleratus.'' What follows is a quest to obtain some sody so that Ma can make biscuits; unfortunately, a bridge lies between the characters' clapboard shack and the store, and under the bridge hides a bear, a la the troll from The Three Billy Goats Gruff. One by one, brothers Tom and Will, as well as Ma, become, respectively, the bear's ``breakfast,'' ``dinner'' and ``supper.'' At last brother Jack-borrowed from this husband-and-wife team's Jack the Giant Chaser-outwits the bear and frees his kinfolk. Joanne Compton writes clearly and colorfully, interjecting the occasional colloquialism (``I'll be back up 'fore the dew's dry on the laurel'') and encouraging readers to adopt a good ol' twang. Kenn Compton turns in droll illustrations, full-bleed spreads with unobtrusively bordered insets containing a cartoon and text. He also invents diverting supporting characters, among them Jack's sidekick, an expressive white dog. A zesty offering. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)