ELVIS HORNBILL, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BIRD

A role-reversal for the 90's: the narrator and his wife, Americans living in Africa, adopt a hornbill and name him Elvis, hoping he'll become a rock star. Elvis, however, knows his own mind, prefers accounting and economics, acquires a conservative suit, etc. It's genuinely funny, but the humor seems more adult than childlike; still, the wry wit and African-inspired, primitive/sophisticated illustrations in rich purples, greens, and rust make this an interesting debut. (Picture book. 4-?)