We Are Going to Be Pals!

Even a classic symbiotic relationship can get off to a rocky start, Teague (King Kong's Cousin) shows in this verbally and visually rich comedy. The impassive Rhino--the book's acrylic spreads home in on its sculptural bulk--seems perfectly content alone. An incessantly chatty egret is determined to get the relationship wheels turning, though, and with the sun-drenched, blue skies of the savanna forming a single-plane backdrop, the bird tries to ingratiate itself, unctuously prattling about the principles of friendship and even trotting out dad jokes ("You will have no egrets about that. Ha-ha"). When the rhino momentarily drops its stolid demeanor, bucking the egret off its horn, the bird presses on: "Let that be a lesson to both of us--a lesson about respecting personal boundaries!" But even though its unrelenting delivery receives little response, the egret is right about what it takes to be a good a friend--respect, compromise, communication, and kindness ("And loyalty and honesty and appreciation, of course")--and when the bird gets trapped in quicksand, the rhino exhibits all these qualities in its own inimitable way. Birds of a feather may flock together, but successful friendships involve finding someone whose heart is in the right place. Ages 4-8. (June)