A Coney Tale

In seventeenth-century Flanders, the Holbuns, a rabbit family, discover that the great tree of Conage is actually the world's biggest carrot.

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Despite its somewhat clever rabbit humor, this tale falls flat. Set in 17th-century Flanders, the story involves two rabbits (or ``coneys,'' as they are called in Europe)--Holbun the Elder and the Younger--who discover that the revered old tree in the town square is really a giant carrot. The townspeople spend the rest of the book working together to try to dig up this new source of food, and, when they finally succeed, a celebration ensues. The tale ends by explaining that, ever after, coneys always ``look carefully at every big tree,'' just in case. The colorful, humorous acrylic illustrations cannot rescue this lame effort. The ending is a rather feeble attempt at turning the story into a pourquoi tale, and the idea of group cooperation would be far better served by any version of The Enormous Turnip. Save your pellets and pass on this one. --Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this winsome and unusual picture- book debut, windmills dot the lush, green landscape of 17th-century Flanders, where coneys (winsome, round rabbits whose faces are blank save two little eyes) dwell in a village called Conage. These good-natured creatures live peacefully, always eager to pitch in to help their fellow coneys. Since coneys "love nothing better than feeding," there is understandably great excitement when a father and son discover that the village green's enormous tree is actually a giant carrot. Through his pleasantly understated text and humorous illustrations--the latter saturated with color and detail--Ratz de Tagyos shows how the resourceful coneys unearth the enticing carrot, on which they then feast for months. Skewed perspectives create an amiably pleas ingly offbeat effect in the clean, crisp artwork; multiple illustrations on several pages propel the action tale briskly. Youngsters will hope that this gifted storyteller's tales will multiply as rapidly as coneys. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A new author-illustrator creates an appealing coney (rabbit) society in 17th-century Flanders, with unique enterprises like a ``pad repair shop'' and an ``ear care center'' and respectable coney burghers eating salad in timbered houses. One day, ``Holbun the Younger'' discovers that the ``pride of Conage,'' a huge tree, is actually a giant carrot. With no hesitation but considerable inventiveness, lovingly detailed in the precise illustrations, the coneys contrive to pull it up. A ``feeding frenzy'' ensues; the hole is made into a public fountain. There's no moral in this wry tale, not even implicitly: the coneys are delighted with their feat, and there are no unfortunate repercussions--which could make for some interesting discussion. Meanwhile, R tz de Tagyos's bright, clean colors, varied use of frames and points of view, and Macaulay-like detailing of his fantastical technology mark an intriguing debut. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.