Review by Booklist Review
As the sun sinks over the savanna, Mommy warthog calls her son, Albie, to bed, prompting him to dash off--"skippety trot trit trot"--in search of a playmate. But the cheetahs are already enjoying a bedtime story, the elephants are taking an evening shower, and the meerkats are almost asleep. Undeterred, he trots off to play by himself; eventually he tires out, accepts a ride home from the hippos, and enjoys the gloopy, splashy mud-bath party Mommy has prepared. Ambrose's soothing text speaks knowingly of toddler sleep aversion as well as Mommy's wise decision not to fight about it. Her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations echo the storyline's gentle demeanor. Albie's bucolic savanna is filled with smiling creatures, pastel butterflies, and no threat of predation. Earth tones predominate, accented in blues and purples as the night progresses. Particularly appealing are the spreads at the end where Albie and all his friends enjoy splashing in the moonlit mud. While probably not a cure for toddler insomnia, this makes a great choice when little ones are winding down.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Albie is a little warthog with a long snout, as well as the savannah's bedtime outlier. He's interested in "rolling and jumping, sniffling and snuffling," but as he moves between other animal families, he finds that his pals are ready to snuggle down and snooze. Albie insists he's fine playing by himself, yet when he wanders alone in the night, his bravado melts. A more conventional story might lead to a close call escape from a nocturnal predator, but Ambrose (The Lonely Giant) dispenses with that possibility almost immediately: everyone looks out for each other on this savanna, and Albie returns to his mother without incident. A letdown? Not at all. Readers are treated to an unexpectedly rambunctious wrap-up, in which Albie's pre-bed mud bath turns into a spontaneous, "gloopiest, splashiest, noisiest" community party; the watercolor and pencil drawings show happy parents and offspring kicking up their heels and making glorious splats and splatters. In other words, Albie gets exactly what he wished for--and what kid wouldn't sleep like a log after that? Ages 3--7. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K--Busy little warthog Albie seems to be the only youngster on the savanna who doesn't want the day to end. "Sniffling and snuffling," he pointedly ignores his mother's call and the changing light that signals a sinking sun. "Skippety trot trit trot," he quickly leaves. "I don't want to go to bed yet," he says and dashes off through swishy grass to find friends. The cheetah family pauses their bedtime story as he greets them, the elephants are happily in the midst of their nightly showers, and meerkats sleepily respond, but Albie still refuses to return before "rustlings and scratchings" of the approaching night remind him that he is alone and away from home. Illustrations in watercolor and pencil feature animal species commonly found in the grasslands of southern Africa in anthropomorphic activities. Albie's widened cartoon eyes express his delight in freedom before others guide him back to his own family at bedtime. A suggested general purchase for libraries, this title emphasizes simple, loving relationships and daily routines in family life. VERDICT A gentle fantasy, this has most appeal for young children who understand the pain of playtime ending. Older readers might cop to the fact that the cheetahs in this particular habitat are dangerous to a young warthog.--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TX
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A story for readers who want to go hog-wild at bedtime. Albie, a young warthog, should be getting ready for bed, but he wants to play. Before his mother can corral him, the little oinker is off with a "skippety trot trit trot" in an effort to find evening playmates. Along the way he encounters various savanna animals, including cheetahs, elephants, and meerkats, but each group is engaged in bedtime-related activities and cannot play. After wandering for a bit, Albie eventually makes his way home for bed and a final surprise. While the theme treads familiar ground, the page turns provide opportunities for caregivers to engage young listeners, and the watercolor-and--colored pencil illustrations have a pleasing, cartoonlike simplicity. Visual grace notes include a worm peering into the meerkats' burrow along with a number of attentive insects who watch Albie's progress. It's a book that can be enjoyed both from a lap and in a moderately sized storytime. While tidbits about the habits of the various species Albie encounters are folded into the simple text, it's too bad there's no backmatter that buttresses these for curious readers. That quibble aside, the book will be a winner at pajama storytime or before bed. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.4-by-21.2-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) Readers will skippety trot trit trot after meeting Albie. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
