Momo and Snap
(Child's Play Library)

When Momo, a tiny brown monkey, and Snap, a remarkably long crocodile, first meet--with an "Eek!" and an "Ack!"--all they can think about is one-upmanship. They make daunting noises in an attempt to frighten each other ("Scree!" "Hiss!") and challenge one another to feats of agility, artistry, and athleticism (including juggling, balancing, drawing, diving, and swimming). But when three hungry lions appear eager to turn Momo into a meal, Snap instinctively carries his rival to safety, launching a beautiful friendship. The text is composed entirely of the exclamatory sounds the two make; fishing barehanded, they declare "Yee haw!" and "Woo Hoo!" and they chortle away after the lions leave empty-handed. Unfortunately, Anderson's decision to tell her story almost entirely along a single plane only highlights the flatness of her two heroes--who look more like cartoon marginalia than full-fledged characters--and their rather vanilla talents. Anderson (Cows in the Kitchen) milks some fun out of this duo's competitive spirit, but there are funnier books available about rivalry and friendship. Ages 3-7. (Nov.)

PreS-K--Momo the monkey and Snap the crocodile are frightened of each other at first, uttering "Eek!" and "Ack!" After trading their most fearsome growls ("Grrr!" "Arrrgh!"), they proceed to try to outdo each other in a series of charming feats of strength. In one scene, Momo juggles bananas while Snap balances them on her nose. Bold spreads and single pages with backgrounds of various hues accent the two characters, painted in a cartoon style with emotive faces. Although the text is minimal--one or two speech bubble sounds or words per page-the illustrations push the adventure along as Momo and Snap tumble around a desert, dive underwater, and, ultimately, hide together from lions in a jungle thicket. This picture book will be a hit, inviting vocalization of "Sheesh!" "Sploosh!" and the like, and spurring youngsters to interpret the pictures and sounds as the tale progresses.--Nora Clancy, Teachers College Community School, New York City