WHO IS THE BEAST?

by Keith Baker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1990

Simple couplets (""The beast, the beast! I'm filled with fear./I see his tracks--the beast is near!"") describe a tiger's progress through the jungle from the point of view of other creatures, who are shown observing such details as whiskers or stripes. Finally, the tiger wonders whether he is indeed the beast, compares himself to each of the others (""We both have eyes. . .We both can jump"") and concludes that ""We all are beasts--you and me."" The verse here is a bit pedestrian, but serves well enough to convey the cleverly imaginative idea. Baker's broad, double-spread acrylic illustrations are outstanding. The rich jungle colors are dramatically edged in black; by and large, the fauna are realistically portrayed (the tiger is noble yet ingenuous), while the more stylized flora are often embellished with decorative patterns. A handsome book with an appealing story and a gentle, implicit message.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1990

ISBN: 0152001220

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S