A rip-roaring tale featuring a big-hearted sheriff, a high-spirited heroine, and a happily ever after ending, all told in the tongue-rattling twang of the Old West. When Sweetness, the littlest orphan at nasty Mrs. Sump's house, runs away, it is up to the sheriff to save her from the dangers of the desert, including the evil desperado Coyote Pete. However, it never seems to be Sweetness who needs saving. Just as soon as the sheriff begins to stagger with thirst, Sweetness appears with a canteen of water; when he shivers without a blanket, she shows up to build a fire complete with toasted marshmallows; and, as he stares down the barrel of Coyote Pete's loaded six-shooter, there she is, holding a large bolder over the villain's head. Each time they meet, the little girl refuses to return to the orphanage, until the law-enforcement officer finally figures out how to save her "fer good." Telling the tale from the sheriff's point of view, Stanley packs this fast-paced adventure full of language that begs to be read aloud. The contrast between the well-meaning but slow-witted adult and the resourceful and independent child remains funny throughout the story, leading right up to the satisfying conclusion. Combining gouache, acrylic, and pencil drawings with cyanotype photographs, Karas's illustrations evoke the arid landscape of the West yet remain wonderfully original. The positioning of the characters, as well as their expressive features, underscore the humor and emotion in the text. Don't miss this creative collaboration. Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.