BIG FRIENDS

A hint of Goldilocks and a touch of Going on a Lion Hunt make this new tale of friendship seem familiar. Big Hasuni lives on the top of a big mountain with his pet lion and elephant—both smaller than he is. One day they investigate smoke from the island below. Upon arriving in the camp, he finds some giant cooked lobsters (which he eats), a stool (which he breaks), and a hammock just waiting for him—and no one around. When Big Hanna returns to her campsite, she finds her site a mess and Big Hasuni in her hammock. When she wakes him, he takes off as fast as he can, through the ocean water, over the desert, across the plains, around the clear blue lake, etc. He arrives home to find his campsite disturbed too. Big Hanna is close behind and explains that she has been in his camp to check out the smoke she’s seen from her island. This is a predictable tale with just enough tension (and brilliantly lush, acrylic-and-gouache illustrations) to keep readers reading and listeners listening and everyone smiling. (Picture book. 4-8)