Splash!

On a very hot summer day, an elephant, a tiger, and a rhinoceros search for relief--and they find it by squirting and splashing around in a pool of cool, refreshing water.

PreSchool-Grade 1-Three of the animals that first appeared in Flora McDonnell's ABC (Candlewick, 1997) are given a winning story of their own. Days in the jungle are sultry and slow moving: "The elephants are hot. Tiger is hot. Rhinoceros is hot." Each one of these simple sentences is placed on a double-page spread along with a large close-up of the weary animal(s) set against a brilliant yellow background. When a baby elephant leads the other creatures to a water hole, they not only quench their thirst but also start a water fight. The minimal text turns playful as the animals "splash," "squirt," "whoosh," and "sploosh" the heat away. The bold illustrations, done in acrylic, gouache, and watercolor, are filled with color and movement. The foamy blues and greens of the water contrast with the arid backgrounds and provide visual refreshment. Children will love following these exotic creatures through the pages. Striking artwork and the superb pacing of the text make this a must-have for storytime collections.
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Just in time for the dog days of summer, McDonnell (I Love Boats) makes waves with this captivating oversize picture book. The story line is simplicity itself: hot and grumpy, Tiger, Rhinoceros and Mother Elephant follow a baby elephant down to the water hole, where they find relief from the heat. Pairing her bare-bones text ("Hot, hot, hot! The elephants are hot") with big, bold, vibrant illustrations, McDonnell places her audience squarely in the midst of the fun. Underpinned by a thorough grasp of color harmony, McDonnell's artwork has an appealing, larger-than-life quality. Her color combinations tempt the eye and set the tone for each scene, from the orange and black stripes of a tiger's fur against a sultry yellow backdrop for "hot," to the soothing blues and greens of the waterhole oasis for "cool." The splash-fest especially is sure to delight preschoolers: "Whoosh! Sploosh! goes Tiger," reads one spread, while the next shows all four creatures romping, a "Splash!" printed next to each. With its easy, assured presentation belying a careful craftsmanship, this vigorous romp showcases McDonnell's keen sensitivity to the visual and verbal needs of the very young. Ages 3-6. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.