Will's Mammoth

Rafe Martin understands the power of imagination and its importance in growing up. In a few words he brings to life Will, a boy who believes in his mammoth. "A marvelous imaginary journey that will strike a responsive chord in young and old alike."--School Library Journal, starred review. Full-color illustrations.

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Will loves mammoths--huge, hairy, woolly mammoths. His parents explain that there are no mammoths left in the world, but Will knows better. Off he goes into an iridescent, snowbound world of his own creation, where he quickly finds all manner of woolly prehistoric beasts. The story is rich in imagination although sparing in words. Martin's text, hand-lettered and colored, is a straightforward frame for the real adventure revealed in Gammell's pictures. There is a feeling of joy and anticipation as Will's original snow-covered boulder bursts into one lone mammoth, only to be joined immediately by a whole herd of the wise-eyed creatures. In the course of the day, Will and his mammoth herd rout a pack of dangerous saber-toothed tigers, sing with the wolves, and meet a fur-clad cave family. The adventure is complete when they unexpectedly discover flowers blooming in the snow. A call home for supper returns Will to the everyday world, where he goes to bed with a promise of "I'll see you tomorrow." The illustrations are Gammell at his best. His scratchy, expressive line is full of energy, giving life and movement to the figures, while a sort of "spattered" overlay effectively creates the swirling snow. Rainbow hues reflect from the ice and snow onto brown shaggy fur and mammoth tusks. The color accents both figures and landscape, giving a feeling of solidity and eliminating any hint of monotony in the brown-furred creatures or snowy vistas. Gammell's prehistoric world is, in fact, unexpectedly colorful, and the contrast between the vibrant color and the white snow is extremely pleasing to the eye. A marvelous imaginary journey that will strike a responsive chord in young and old alike. --Linda Boyles, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
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