Eleven species of wild animals frolic in their habitats. Two-page spreads in vividly bright colors depict animal groups engaging in their favorite activities. While the biggest lion roars, the cubs are “racing, chasing, scrambling.” Zebras gallop in a herd against a setting sun, monkeys swing through the trees and pandas munch on bamboo leaves. There are also elephants, tigers, giraffes, hippos, leopards, kangaroos and bears. A final spread shows all the included animals in a single landscape. Mayo’s text is simple but catchy in its repeated gerunds. Ayliffe’s cut-paper illustrations nearly jump off the page—their simplicity might encourage young listeners to make their own pictures with cut outs—and each spread is an appealing riot of color. Should attract the very young, who might get the mistaken idea that kangaroos, panda bears and lions all live near each other. (Picture book. 2-5)
