ZILBO'S FOREST

A frustrated little critter tries to bite everything in sight.

In an earlier book, Zilbo, a pointy-nosed dog with sharply rendered eyebrows, learned that grumpiness is extremely contagious. In his latest outing, he becomes so angry that he begins biting all that he sees. He sharpens his fangs on smaller stuff first: biting the television when he loses his video game (and shattering it spectacularly) and chomping on his alarm clock when it wakes him up. Bikes, hats, basketballs: Nothing is safe. The sun’s heat infuriates Zilbo, so he tries to climb up to the top of a tree to reach his target. Though he fails, he spots a bird in a beret painting a landscape. Zilbo borrows the supplies, paints the sun, and bites the painting! The avian artist has given him a gift: Zilbo discovers he can funnel his frustrated energy into self-expression. Zilbo’s artwork is far more well received than his fits of fury were. Focusing on Zilbo’s irritation, this graphic novel will feel hilariously relatable to many young readers, though some caregivers may look askance at Zilbo’s initial predilection for biting. Zilbo’s bright, simple surroundings and supportive, sensitive friends create a welcoming comic-book setting, while Benton’s clear, expressive text meets early elementary readers on their level.

A fierce, funny parable about sinking one’s teeth into creative expression.