Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads

K-Gr 2--The gold stealin' and cattle kissin' Toad Brothers are terrorizing the town of Drywater Gulch again! So when seven-year-old Ryan rides into town on a tortoise and offers to help, the mayor immediately gives him the task of wrangling up the Toads. The new sheriff may not know anything about riding horses or lassoing crooks, but like most boys, he does know an awful lot about dinosaurs. As Ryan investigates the crime scenes, he blatantly blames dinosaurs for the crime in the town and sets out to nab the terrifying lizards. Although Sheriff Ryan is pretty ridiculous in his accusations, children will love the ending, since the little hero gets the last laugh. Shea's humor is spot-on in Sherriff Ryan's unwavering logic and assumptions, and his distinct characters will make this an instant hit at storytime. Smith's illustrations, with grainy color and vivid textures, match the deadpan silliness to a tee, and keen dinosaur hunters will love the few dinosaur mirages hidden in the background. Another stellar job by Shea and Smith.--Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI

Shea and Smith, the duo behind Big Plans, deliver a western yarn that's long on cowboy slang and longer on screwball comedy. Mayor McMuffin of Drywater Gulch cannot abide the "hootin', hollerin', and cattle kissin' " Toad brothers, who are wreaking havoc in the arid one-horse town. At last, a boy in a 10-gallon hat rides "into town. Slowly. On a tortoise. Give him a minute." He claims to be qualified as sheriff, due to his expertise on dinosaurs, and he stubbornly attributes the Toad brothers' robberies and unusual treatment of cattle to velociraptors and tyrannosaurs. Kid Sheriff insists on reserving the jail for the likes of T. rex, absurd logic prevails, and the menacing Toads get their just deserts. Smith pictures sepia-tinted heroes and villains, and sets the action against an apt backdrop of cracked earth, speckled mesas, and spiky sagebrush. Shea maintains a deadpan drawl that mirrors the straightforward visuals. If children are more likely to know dinosaurs than B-movie chestnuts like "Gabby the town prospector," adults can meet them halfway in this punchy read-aloud. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)