IN HAPPY HOLLOW

by Rutherford Montgomery ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 7, 1958

Elmer, a spotted skunk, the type that rarely offends, leaves his bride, Plumey, to seek fame as a song and dance guy in California's fictional animal reservation, Happy Hollow. Because they are the last of their breed and because she adores Elmer, Plumey sets after him. Angered by the competition of an ingenious flying squirrel, Elmer's skunkhood asserts itself and all the animals flee from him. It is this indiscretion which gives Plumey the key to Elmer's whereabouts and the two set off together with enthusiastic plans to perpetuate the race. Almost too crowded with animals, and despite Harold Berson's most appealing black and white illustrations -- this departure from the author's usually straightforward and extremely successful nature stories, is disappointing. In writing for children of a younger age category, he has entered into a realm of fantasy with which he is not very successful, in that he endows his animals with somewhat vulgar human qualities which seem neither appropriate to their genuine nature nor do they enhance the imaginative tone of the story.

Pub Date: Aug. 7, 1958

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1958

Categories: FICTION