Roar!: A Noisy Counting Book

A lion cub just wants to have fun with his fellow inhabitants of the savanna. But he doesn't understand why, when he roars his invitation to join his game or dance, nobody wants to play with him. One red monkey "scampers up a tree," plugging his ears; eight brown gazelles "race off on pounding feet." Just when the lonely cub despairs of ever finding a playmate, he hears "nine yellow lion cubs roaring just like me." Together, the group of 10 sends the entire animal population fleeing for cover. Edwards and Cole, in their fifth collaboration (The Worrywarts; Some Smug Slug), prove once again that they go together like hippos and water: the prose is economical and straightforward, while the artwork strikes a satisfying balance between cartooning and naturalism. Children should enjoy keeping track of the parade of big numbers and bright colors, while giggling over a fact that the cub doesn't seem to be aware of yet--that he's king of the jungle. A gentle nature lesson and concept book neatly rolled into one. Ages 3-7. (May) Copyright 2000 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2-Edwards and Cole team up once again in this vibrantly illustrated rhyming concept book set against the bright backdrop of a lush African savanna. When a restless lion cub embarks on a search for someone to play with, he frightens everyone away, from one red monkey to eight brown gazelles, until he finally finds nine little yellow lion cubs that aren't the least bit afraid of him. Perfect as a read-aloud to teach colors and numbers, the text features rhymes that are both rhythmic and repetitive without being monotonous. Cartoon illustrations rendered in acrylics and colored pencil bring the setting and characters to life, beginning with the little cub's pride of lions and ending with a full-spread stampede of safari animals. A roaring good time.-Catherine T. Quattlebaum, Bartram Trail Regional Library System, Washington, GA Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.