AWFUL AARDVARK

The jungle is in turmoil: Aardvark's snoring is keeping the other animals awake. Organized by Mongoose, they take turns waking him, but each cure is brief as Aardvark drifts off again. Surprisingly, it's the little termites who finally change his behavior: their munching knocks down his tree, and in scurrying after them--for retribution plus a good meal--he becomes nocturnal. Kennaway's illustrations are always interesting in their use of bold design incorporating subtle patterns; here, the stylized animals vary from a monumental lion and rhinocerous to the delicately rendered mongoose. Aardvark is comically relaxed when asleep, delightfully bemused when awake. Excellent for sharing, with individual or group.