The Lost Galumpus

When a mysterious creature appears in the Twin Cities' Theodore Wirth Park, a possum named Gilligan quickly alerts the park's cantankerous elected official, Mayor Crawdaddy the raccoon, of the assumed threat against the peaceful animal community. The beast, which Gilligan dubs a galumpus, is actually a baby woolly mammoth named Twigs from 10,000 years in the past, who, alongside a park ranger robot called Smokey 3000 from an equidistant future, was transported to the present after getting caught in a time vortex. While fleeing from three animal pelt-clad humans, who arrived along with the young woolly, Twigs and 3000 manage to evade them in the park. Since the Twin Cities animals are honor bound to help all nonhumans, Gilly and Mayor Crawdaddy, aided by 3000 and the squirrel Earl of Sussex, work together to find the time vortex's origin so Twigs and 3000 can return to their respective homes. Cozy digital illustrations by Lugo (Santiago's Dinosaurios) suitably complement spirited prose by Helgerson (Crows and Cards). Myriad complications, such as Twigs's hesitation to return home, 3000's dwindling power supply, and the persistent hunters add narrative tension and hijinks, making for an upbeat adventure that celebrates community. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)