CLAYDON WAS A CLINGY CHILD

With a distressed look on his face, Claydon always holds tight to his mother's leg. Contrary to traditional expectations, however, Claydon's athletic mother does not lead a gentle existence. "When Mummy went skateboarding.../ ...Claydon went too./ When Mummy played rugby,/ Claydon went too./ 'It's safer here,' said Claydon." The boy's "it's safer here" mantra grows unconvincing as his mom skydives and plays contact sports with hulking women twice her size. In practical, Pooh-like fashion, Claydon's stuffed bear votes for cutting the apron strings (or more likely, the bungee cords): " 'Your mother,' he said... 'while a fine woman, is fond of the More Dangerous Forms of Exercise.' " At last, Claydon opts for a slow-moving tricycle, and the nutty conclusion shows him aiming the trike down a steep playground slide. This extreme move endears him to his inline-skating mom, but might not sit so well with sedentary parents. Cowell (Hiccup, the Seasick Viking) draws the death-defying characters in a woozy ink line and reckless strokes of watercolor. She finds humor in children's need for security and parents who engage in risky sports, without arriving at any conclusions about clinginess, bravery or poor judgment. This volume is an inside joke for adults, but it doesn't offer much entertainment or counsel to young readers. Ages 3-5. (July)