Perloo the Bold

Perloo is apprehensive when a fellow Montmer comes to his burrow with an urgent appeal from Jolaine the Good, "granter" of the Montmers, a jackrabbitish folk who have lived in peace and contentment for many years. Until now: Jolaine is dying, and she does not want her war-mongering (and stupid) son Berwig the Big to succeed her. She wants-of all Montmers!-the bookish and reclusive Perloo instead. The story goes pretty much the way you would expect it to, with a torn-in-two proclamation confusing Jolaine's intentions; Berwig assuming the throne with the help of the treacherous, double-dealing Senyous; and Perloo and his ally Lucabara captured and escaping a number of times until they foil the evil-doers and restore honor to the Montmer throne. The conclusion is more whimsical than it has a right to be: suffice it to say that no blood is spilled. Easier-going than the Redwall books, not as richly developed as Avi's own Poppy, "Perloo" the Bold is a Disneyesque animal fantasy, with theatrical dialogue, good guys (and a girl) to root for, a high-minded but firm-footed theme, and tons of action. Walt, you listening?