Silly Tails

An explanation of why vegetables do not talk describes how, long ago, vegetables lived in a garden opposite a band of rabbits, and they insulted those rabbits until the rabbits fought back

Humor with a British accent distinguishes Mark's ( Trouble Halfway ; Handles ) latest yarn, which drolly explains rabbits' predatory approach to carrots. According to the narrator, vegetables possess the power of speech--they've just been intimidated into silence. It seems a garden of loquacious produce and a "colony of peaceable rabbits" (in modest pilgrim garb) were once separated only by a hedge. The rabbits chewed grass and pointedly ignored their leafy neighbors until one day when a cocky group of carrots began maligning their ears, eyes and tails. The carrots' luck held until they mocked the rabbits' teeth, at which point the indignant long-ears taught their veggie hecklers the meaning of "herbivore." Ross's ( Mrs. Goat and Her Seven Little Kids ; Reckless Ruby ) high-energy, slyly detailed woodland scenes feature spindly-legged carrots, dignified rabbits and vivid hues that turn blustery as tempers flare; a hilarious singing pumpkin-patch provides a fitting coda. Readers with a taste for wry wit should have no trouble digesting this tall tale of comeuppance. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A witty fable explaining why ``None of you has ever heard a vegetable talk'': The peaceable rabbits (dressed as Puritans) live on one side of a hedge, nibbling the amiably self-renewing grass, while on the other the gallant carrots show off for the benefit of ``fat and vulgar'' lettuces and ``dull and earthy'' turnips. Outraged at the rabbits' failure to notice them, the carrots begin to taunt, persisting with comments about ``silly'' ears, teeth, etc., until the rabbits, roused at last, slaughter them in a vengeful fury. ``Since that time no vegetable has been safe in the presence of a hostile rabbit...and vegetables do not speak at all. They dare not.'' Mark's vigorous, well-honed language reads splendidly aloud; Ross's comical, freely drawn figures--pious bunnies; debonair, devil-may-care carrots--are delightful caricatures, while his comical embellishments (grass roots chatting while an earthworm holds its ears) add substantially to the fun. An offbeat treasure. (Picture book. 4+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.