The Wild

Australian author-illustrator Graham (Libby, Oscar and Me, Pearl's Place commands the attention of readers with his slightly offbeat sensibility. Russell lives with his parents, his sister, two dogs, a duck, a frog, a rabbit and a turtle in a house on a hill. Just beyond his home is . . . The Wild. When he discovers that both the rabbit and frog are missing, he realizes that they have returned to The Wild; meanwhile, the family's duck is unmanageable: it pecks at Father's bald head and at Mother's boots. The family realizes that the duck ""needs The Wild, and that starts at the garden fence.'' Reluctantly, they set the duck loose in a nearby pond. Graham's colorful, cartoony illustrations reflect his themesfreedom and losshandsomely. Ages 3-8. (June)