Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff

“Nothing exciting ever happened in Dustpan, Texas,” opens this folksy tale by newcomer Burell. Things are so dull that “kids drifted off in school and drooled all over their books” and the idle sheriff baby-sits to pass the time. When a smiling rattlesnake slithers into town, the sheriff concedes that it seems like “a neighborly sort of snake,” yet announces, “you're not welcome here, pardner.” Paying no heed, the reptile proceeds to entertain the residents, performing tricks and playing with the kids. Annoyed to be proved wrong, the sheriff is ready to escort the snake out of town when he realizes that Ida Mae, the young'un he was babysitting, has disappeared. It comes as no surprise that the snake saves the baby, who's perched perilously on the edge of Deadman's Gulch. Langdo's (Pastry School in Paris ) chipper, homespun cartoons bring additional comedic dimension—particularly enjoyable are scenes of Ida Mae scribbling away on “Wanted” posters and of the snake giving babies a snakeyback ride. The sheriff is never very convincing as a gruff hard-liner, nor is his conversion ever in doubt. Ages 4–7. (Apr.)