HUNTING FOR FUR

Violent and menacing imagery darken this sardonic tale, originally published in France. The animals, naked and freezing because human thieves have stolen their fur, have decided upon vigilante justice and set out to get back their pelts. In an effort to help Big Bad Wolf, their friend, Panda and Koala go on a rampage, robbing the fur-wearing denizens of the big city. Pouncing on an elderly woman, Panda yells “Freeze, you rabbit, mink, or wolf skin thief! That fur is ours!” Koala is shown pointing a gun at the woman, albeit a toy one. More disturbing is the early portrayal of Panda and Koala as they pledge to rescue Wolf’s fur: Koala totes a rifle under each arm while Panda brandishes two pistols with ammunition belts crisscrossed over his torso. Although adults will appreciate the satire, and the irony of such gentle creatures attired as commandoes, children will only see a message of violence: Guns are glorified and that in this case, the end justifies the means. (Picture book. 6-9)