TWO DAYS IN MAY

Taylor’s story of a deer family’s unexpected appearance in an urban garden is hampered by its monotone delivery, but there is an easy imparting of information that ought to be in every child’s environmental-awareness kit. Early one morning, young Sonia discovers five deer tucking into the greens growing in her city garden. While the neighbors come to gape, Sonia’s dad and the building super decide to call the animal control officers to have the deer safely removed. Unfortunately, the animal control officer’s policy is to exterminate the deer. The neighbors decide to peacefully protest this policy by gathering around the deer to protect them, while in the meantime alerting a wildlife rescue group. Most of the neighbors spend the night alongside the deer; the next morning, Carl, from the rescue group, arrives to sedate and cart away the deer (much to the relief of the animal control officer) to a safe haven. Sprinkled throughout the tale are such concepts as habitat loss, seasonal food needs, overpopulation, and other staples of eco-consciousness. Delicate watercolors emphasize the adorable over the wild, while also heightening the incongruity of the situation. (Picture book. 4-8)