Review by Booklist Review
Children are invited to interact with Ryland's latest tale of six friendly animals. Giraffe, Elephant, Cheetah, Snake, Flamingo, and Mouse want to read a story but find a blank page in Giraffe's book that they feel requires filling. Flamingo begins creating the tale: "Once upon a time there was a brave mouse-explorer." The other animals chime in with their contributions to the mouse's exploits. At one point, Cheetah asks readers to move the book from side to side to simulate a storm on the sea, which knocks Mouse off the sailboat he's on, and the adventure unfolds. Each animal speaks in speech bubbles similar to their coloring, helping to identify which animal is telling which part of the tale. Children will enjoy being asked to participate by shaking, tilting, blowing on the page, and turning the book on its side. Each motion causes an effect that enables the escapade to continue. This book is best shared one-on-one so the child can hold the book while participating.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this follow-up toGiraffe Is Too Tall for This Book (2023), five characters go in search of a story. Giraffe, Flamingo, Mouse, Cheetah, Elephant, and Snake gaze at the blank pages of a book. "What should we do?" Giraffe asks. Snake suggests writing a story. It's a daunting prospect--the blank page holds terror even for animals--but all agree to collaborate. The pals brainstorm words ("KINDNESS!" "PEANUTS!") before telling a story, sentence by sentence. Their tale follows a courageous Mouse, who sails off in search of a mountain made from cheese, and though Cheetah points out that Mouse doesn't know how to sail, Snake wisely replies, "Anything can happen in a story." The left side of each spread depicts the friends as they discuss and critique various plot points, while the right side shows the developing story, which often requires audience participation. Readers are asked to shake the book to make an underground volcano erupt and to tilt it to help Elephant swim faster, and it's the audience's actions that bring their story to a climax. Or does it? Set against stark white pages, the endearing, big-eyed animals all have a stuffed-animal sweetness, while color-coded speech bubbles and inspired page layouts make following the narrative easy. Ryland offers would-be writers enough structure to get started while also giving them space to flex their creative muscles--and permission to get goofy. Both an uproarious read-aloud and an entertaining primer for aspiring authors.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
