Kids love to surprise each other. In this charming book by Easton (better known as author/illustrator David McKee), the characters have fun surpising each other and making each other jump. Grocer Badger shouts ""BOO!"" at his customers, Mrs. Sheep and Mrs. Goose, making them jump nearly to the ceiling. Benjamin Leopard leaps out of the bushes wearing a mask and roaring a terrible roar, all in fun, to make Mrs. Pig hop right into the clothesline and make Mr. Pig jump out of his deck chair and spill his tea. Making everyone jump is a favorite animal pastime, but when the elephant comes to live in the village, the others find that no matter what they do, they cannot make him jump. ""There are two things that elephants never do: they never jump, and they never forget,"" the elephant tells his neighbors. The event that proves him wrong and his sheepish response will amuse young readers. Vendrell's illustrations sprawl across the pages, as lions roar and pigs leap and the elephant lumbers about. The creatures' expressions are endearing, and her use of color and space excellent. A nice backdrop for Easton's enjoyable text.
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 1986
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly--dist. by Little, Brown