Seduced by a spider, Little Tapir ventures away from his sleeping mother and into the rain forest in this rhythmic coming-of-age ode. He meets a howler monkey, butterflies, ants, and anteaters on his journey. In one spread, “[a] dead-eyed, heavy-weight anaconda / Uncoils herself to the sound of thunder.” Moss’s rhyme is sometimes slightly off kilter. Still, she successfully conveys the liveliness of Little Tapir’s environment. In Kennaway’s richly detailed watercolors, which appear throughout as lush, full-bleed spreads, young readers will likely enjoy spotting the diverse array of plants and animals. They will also identify with Little Tapir’s bid for independence and be reassured when his mother meets up with him at just the right moment. As back matter, there’s a note from author David Bellamy explaining the ecological importance of rain-forest preservation. (Picture book. 4-7)
