WE ARE GOING TO BE PALS!
by Mark Teague ; illustrated by Mark Teague
Egret and Rhino need each other, but will they really be pals?
When an egret lands on a rhino, the egret is certain they will be friends. The rhino is noncommittal. Egret says they’ll have a symbiotic relationship (“It means…We are going to be pals!”). “Perhaps you are thinking, ‘I am not the friendly type,’ ” says the egret. “I understand. I will teach you.” The talkative egret starts suggesting things they can do together. Chase the jackals? Rhino doesn’t seem inclined. Eat grasshoppers? Rhino’s not interested. A ride on the rhino’s horn? The rhino really doesn’t like that, and the egret says that’s a teachable moment about recognizing boundaries. The rhino goes about their day as the egret keeps proposing activities. When the two each enjoy some alone time, the egret gets stuck in quicksand, and the rhino comes to their aid. With the egret safe, the friendship (such as it is) continues. The egret’s loquacious lesson in friendship includes some large words that may take some explaining, and their barrage of bad animal puns will be lost on the youngest listeners. Teague’s acrylic illustrations are as beautiful as ever, but the egret’s nonstop blather verges on bullying. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A bit of a miss for an accomplished author/illustrator.
(Picture book. 4-7)