Sandeagozu

A 30-ft. python named Sherahi is at the center of this urban Jungle Book. Captured in Burma in 1921, despite her formidable mental powers, Sherahi spends years as a living prop in a burlesque routine before being sold to Leftrack's Pet Emporium in New York City. There she meets the other ""culls'' (sick and unsalable animals) who tell her of the paradisial Sandeagozu (i.e. The San Diego Zoo) where it is always warm and there are no cages. With four companionsa coatimundi, a macaw, a langur monkey and a rattlesnakeshe escapes into a wintry New York subway and the lairs of ancient white crocodiles before continuing west toward her goal. Although the natural science background is interesting and detailed (the author is a herpetologist), the animals are as anthropomorphized as in any Disney nature film. As a result, the characters are appealing but their melodramatic adventures among stereotyped, mostly cruel humans will do best with animal advocates and fans of such works as The Incredible Journey and Watership Down. Major ad/promo. (October 15)