Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-7. Little lion cub wants someone to play with, but his big roar scares off potential playmates--from 1 red monkey to 8 brown gazelles--which leaves him lonely and baffled (he is, after all, using his nicest voice). He finally encounters 9 other lion cubs; when the 10 happy cubs roar, it's enough to send the other animals stampeding away en masse. Aptly subtitled A Noisy Counting Book, this rowdy read-aloud book's bouncy, rhyming stanzas and boldface ROARs will delight listeners, as will the detailed, vibrant acrylic-and-pencil art, portraying diverse, comically expressive animals and their African habitats. The story may raise some questions among astute children, particularly regarding the "best playmates are your own kind" finale, but overall, it provides a lively story-time alternative, with many opportunities for storytellers to act out the events and for listeners to happily roar along. --Shelle Rosenfeld
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A lion cub just wants to have fun with his fellow inhabitants of the savanna. But he doesn't understand why, when he roars his invitation to join his game or dance, nobody wants to play with him. One red monkey "scampers up a tree," plugging his ears; eight brown gazelles "race off on pounding feet." Just when the lonely cub despairs of ever finding a playmate, he hears "nine yellow lion cubs roaring just like me." Together, the group of 10 sends the entire animal population fleeing for cover. Edwards and Cole, in their fifth collaboration (The Worrywarts; Some Smug Slug), prove once again that they go together like hippos and water: the prose is economical and straightforward, while the artwork strikes a satisfying balance between cartooning and naturalism. Children should enjoy keeping track of the parade of big numbers and bright colors, while giggling over a fact that the cub doesn't seem to be aware of yetÄthat he's king of the jungle. A gentle nature lesson and concept book neatly rolled into one. Ages 3-7. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Edwards and Cole team up once again in this vibrantly illustrated rhyming concept book set against the bright backdrop of a lush African savanna. When a restless lion cub embarks on a search for someone to play with, he frightens everyone away, from one red monkey to eight brown gazelles, until he finally finds nine little yellow lion cubs that aren't the least bit afraid of him. Perfect as a read-aloud to teach colors and numbers, the text features rhymes that are both rhythmic and repetitive without being monotonous. Cartoon illustrations rendered in acrylics and colored pencil bring the setting and characters to life, beginning with the little cub's pride of lions and ending with a full-spread stampede of safari animals. A roaring good time.-Catherine T. Quattlebaum, Bartram Trail Regional Library System, Washington, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A lion cub wants to play with the other animals he meets--one red monkey, two pink flamingos, three orange warthogs, and so on--but his loud roar keeps scaring them away. Finally, he meets the right playmates: nine other roaring cubs. The pleasing illustrations depict the wildlife with humor, but the verse is often awkward and uninspired. From HORN BOOK Fall 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lonely little lion looks for a playmate, but his friendly roaring drives all the animals away in this bland counting/color book. Having sent 1 red monkey, 2 pink flamingos, 3 orange warthogs, and so forth scurrying off, little lion at last finds 9 other yellow lion cubs, and joins them for an exuberant, stampede-inducing collective roar. The animals are easily recognizable and wear either cheery (lions) or disconcerted (everything else) expressions, but neither they, nor Edwards's rhymes--"Friendly little lion cub feels a little sad, / Plods down the pathway--pad, pad, pad."--display the imaginative sparkle of Some Smug Slug (1996), Honk! (1998) or this team's other books. Young children may enjoy the safari, but it's a routine trip over well-traveled territory. (Picture book. 4-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
