Ms. Blanche, the Spotless Cow

A Belgian author-illustrator team marks its American debut with a quirky send-up of defective animal stories--quackless ducks, short-necked giraffes, etc.--in which readers are treated to a goofy lampoon of vanity, art snobbery and true love. When all attempts to modify Ms. Blanche's pristine hide meet with failure, a celebrated artist--Mootisse--paints a masterful spot that attracts worldwide attention, including that of ``the Extremely Modern Art Museum of Gotta-Havit, U.S.A.'' But before farmer Goodfellow can decide whether to exploit his cash cow, a rainstorm returns Ms. Blanche to her original, unblemished state. Finally, with the services of a bull (``A little rough. But so very nice looking''), Ms. Blanche creates her own little Spot, and happiness reigns. Though the puns and sidelong jokes here will find greater favor among older readers, little ones can absorb the tale on a more straightforward--and still amusing--level. Merveille (whose human characters call to mind the Monopoly man) offsets the bold, clear color of his pastel-and-brown-paper collage art with ample white space, achieving a crisp simplicity. Traditionalists may shake their heads at this one, but sometimes silliness has its virtues. Ages 3-6. (Apr.)