LOLA AND FRED

Two earthbound buddies—a turtle and a frog, respectively—decide to take up flying in this wordless Swiss import. After abortive attempts with a rocket, a huge rubber band, a catapult and other ill-conceived devices, all of which end in quick disaster, they construct a kite that does the trick. Even better, it deposits them in the gondola beneath a passing balloon where they meet Tom, an escaped circus monkey. Drawing in simple cartoon style and placing his figures in one or two unframed scenes per page, Heuer keeps the tone light and the sequence of events easy to follow. Literate and pre-literate audiences alike will laugh at this engaging pair’s comical misadventures, and happily provide verbal commentary too. A sequel is in the offing. (Picture book. 3-6)