Rabbit and Hedgehog, very dissimilar friends, have found ways to share in the past (A Little Bit of Winter, not reviewed), and they charmingly do so again in their second appearance. Neither one of them knows the day of his birth, leaving them with no exact dates to celebrate. They resolve this problem by deciding to celebrate both birthdays the next day, complete with an exchange of presents at Hedgehog’s insistence. Now the friends have the joint problem of what to give each other, a puzzle they resolve: Hedgehog dips a bottle into the moonlight spilling over the lake to capture some for Rabbit’s dark burrow, and Rabbit packs a box of coziness in the form of earth and leaves from his burrow to soften Hedgehog’s bed in the wide open. Each is surprised to find his gift useful, although perhaps not in the exact way that was intended. The message, that barriers between friends can be overcome with a little thought, is delivered with warmth and humor in this gentle book’s perfectly complementary text and illustrations. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: Feb. 29, 2000
ISBN: 0-06-028279-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1999
That Bynum comes up with so many lines to rhyme with “Altoona Baboona” deserves some kind of acclaim, even if the rhymes make readers laugh and groan at the same time. Altoona Baboona is an ape that “gets bored on her dune-a,” hops a “hot air balloon-a” and goes south to “Calcun-a.” On her hot air travels Altoona meets up with a loon-a and a racoon-a, who come back to the dune-a for an evening bonfire and roasted marshmallows. Bynum’s watercolors have a breezy ocean air feel to them, as light and buoyant as her simian heroine. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201860-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
PLB 0-7358-1050-8 This tale of sudden riches from Falda (The Angel and the Child, 1995, etc.) examines the true meaning of friendship. When Owl sees Squirrel unearth a treasure chest, he quickly notifies the other forest creatures. Together, Rabbit, Mole, Badger, and Bear try to envision the contents of the chest. Falda whimsically describes the creatures’ dearest desires—from carrots for Rabbit to glasses for Mole. Owl disdainfully discounts these fanciful notions, informing the animals that treasure chests are always full of gold and other riches. He also believes that such riches are certain to alter Squirrel, as wealth has often led to the demise of friendships. Alarmed, the animals rush off to discover Squirrel’s intentions; Squirrel has converted his treasure trove of seeds and nuts into a cake for all of his friends. Falda prevents sentiment from overwhelming the charming forest setting and the cast of imaginative, endearing friends. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7358-1049-4
Page Count: 26
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
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