Maximus and Vanilla, twin slaves, use all their wits to escape their cruel master, Slobbus Pompius. Grade 2-5-Spiky-haired Maximus and his sister, (plain) Vanilla, literally slave for the slothful Slobbus Pompius and his vain wife. To save their friend, the master's spirited new horse Polydox, from being destroyed, they run away with the steed. Secretly entering him in the Emperor's Golden Cup chariot race, they win, only to have Slobbus claim the cup and demand revenge against the children. Before the Emperor can decide the fugitives' fate, the Ostrogoths threaten the city, and Maxi's friend Spontanius single-handedly defeats Wulfus the Unwashed One and saves Rome, winning the youngsters' and the horse's freedom in the bargain. Immaculate in white, and less squashed than the toga-clad adults, the twins don't really look oppressed. In fact, it's difficult to focus on them at all, what with the competition from the monumental architecture (each plinth adorned with a Latin tag: Pro Bono Publico, inter alia). The exuberance and excess look positively, well, Gothic, and Wulfus, with a beard like a bearskin, is a subversively attractive option. This historical romp in Rome, in rocking rhyme, is just as silly and as much fun as the rest of the Gerrard opus. Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Ages 5^-8. Set in ancient Rome, Gerrard's latest picture book features two slave children, Maximus and his sister, Vanilla, who labor in the house of a cruel master, Slobbus Pompius, and his lazy wife, Lady Pompius. When Slobbus decides to kill his horse, Polydox, the children flee with the friendly steed. Then they save the city from the Ostrogoths, and the emperor grants the children their freedom. Although the setting is historical, the plot is fanciful. No matter. Children will enjoy the action and the sympathetic trio of Maximus, Vanilla, and Polydox. Peopled with Gerrard's signature short, stout characters, the ink-and-watercolor artwork offers plenty to catch the eye: distinctly Roman settings, some elaborate mosaic and architectural borders, and the occasional Latin motto to ponder. The text marches on and on, rhymed couplet by rhymed couplet, but the book's engaging innocence of spirit prevails, carrying children through to the happy ending. Carolyn Phelan Gerrard (Wagons West!, 1996, etc.) takes on Goths and the Roman Empire with a uniquely upended story of twins. Maximus and his twin sister Vanilla are the child-slaves of the mean Slobbus Pompius. When he threatens to kill his unruly new horse, the children steal the horse and run away. Pursued by Slobbus and Roman soldiers, they hide with the kindly Spontanius and his wive, Chubbia, until the day of an annual chariot race, which they enter and win. During the award ceremony the barbarian Goths advance on the city; Spontanius and the others destroy the bridge to Rome, thus saving the city and earning their freedom. Told in rhyming verse, the genial book is inhabited by Gerrard's characteristically dwarfish people, living among extraordinarily detailed buildings. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. "This historic romp in Rome, in rocking rhyme, is just as silly and as much fun as the rest of the Gerrard opus." --Starred, School Library Journal Roy Gerrard (1935-97) was the author and illustrator of many books for children, including Wagons West! and Rosie and the Rustlers. Roy Gerrard's pictures are glorious composites of every Roman architectural cliché you can think of--divans, pillars, temples, arches, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, etc. etc. Marble never looked so delightful or appealing.