SHAMOO

Holstein meets Humpback in this offbeat take on a familiar theme. Unlike his fellow cattle, Shamoo loves to swim—so much so that, when opportunity presents itself, he leaps into the ocean and paddles away. Fortunately for him, he soon meets up with six-ton Baleen, who teaches him the ins and outs of avoiding predators, hunting for krill, breaching and similar water sports. Hill plays the scenario straight, pairing small, smiling but otherwise accurately drawn figures undulating through cool blue seascapes, sleeping cow atop cetacean under the stars and leaping in tandem into backflips. Ultimately, Shamoo begins to miss the auld sod (so to speak), and with his huge buddy’s help makes landfall once again—trotting off to teach his bovine brethren to swim. Tongues will definitely mooooove into cheeks for this going-away-then-coming-back tale. (Picture book. 6-8)