Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Employing the snappy timing of a top-tier animated short, Tabor (Ursula Upside Down) and Webb, making his traditionally published book debut, launch a series starring a woolly mammoth called Wally. A sledding race is about to begin, but Wally, sporting a bright pink ski sweater, loves sledding purely for enjoyment. When two competitive pals, Wolf and Otto, wax poetic about winning, Wally, arms open, says, "I hope you BOTH win!" Fate intervenes when Wolf and Otto collide and form a massive, growing snowball on the course, giving Wally the lead. ("Hey, Wally," Wolf calls out from within the snowball, "If you win, can I hold the trophy?" Otto adds, "If you win, can I have a cupcake?") Loose, sketchlike digital illustrations with icy-hued fill-ins create a playful, unintimidating atmosphere that welcomes readers into the escalating slapstick action, while speech bubbles remain accessible without sacrificing a single comic beat. Everyone wins in the end--including readers, who will enjoy the light balance of funny friendship story and exhilarating sled ride, plus a promise of further adventures. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Wally Mammoth enjoys spending time with his friends Otto the bird and Wolf. On a wintery ice age day, they compete in a sled competition. Wally wants to enjoy himself and be with his friends, but Wolf insists that he wants to win, and Otto also claims the same. Wally tells them he wants them both to win. Shortly after they take off on their sleds, Otto and Wolf end up crashing into each other. Wally is now ahead, and readers may think he is going to win--but he, too, ends up in the rolling cloud of ice along with Otto and Wolf. The three friends end up at the finish line together, where they get to enjoy the trophy. This is a whimsical, silly story of anthropomorphic animal friendship. Otto brings his friends cups of warm drinks as they get ready for the race, and Wolf displays human childlike traits of enjoying hugs and cupcakes. Bright, colorful pictures depict an ice age background, and the characters speak in speech bubbles with a comic-style text font. Tabor adeptly introduces the subject of friends who can still cheer each other on, even though they may be competing. VERDICT A wonderful addition to children's library collections.--Annmarie Braithwaite
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A sled race spirals out of control. It's race day for a trio of Ice Age sledders, and while competition between Wolf and Otto the great auk heats up an otherwise-frigid morning, Wally Mammoth is just happy to have been invited. Clad in a fuzzy pink turtleneck and giddy with gladness to slalom with pals, the contented Wally truly believes it's not about who wins or loses. The threesome take off as the referee waves a green flag. But competitive ambitions soon prove ruinous as unwieldy speed sends Wolf and Otto swerving. In the crash's slapstick fallout, the two are swallowed by a steadily speeding, ever-growing snowball. Wally's now in the lead, and as Otto and Wolf tumble down the hill, they pepper their friend with requests to share the victory spoils ("If you win, can I hold the trophy?" "If you win, can I have a cupcake?"). The snowball gains momentum, closing in until the pachyderm, too, is enveloped with a "SHOOOP." All three friends roll over the finish line together, tying for gold and learning a valuable lesson about pride along the way. Tabor's text is accessible for new readers--deftly balancing narrative tension with requisite simplicity--and Wally proves a root-for-able foil to the other two competitive compatriots. Webb's art appealingly complements the silliness of the trio's plight, rendering characters with a delightful cartoonish expressiveness. Frothy fun.(Early reader. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
