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Life with Mammoth

by Ian Fraser
64p. 978-0-76145-722-0.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1—3—Ogg and Bob, two cavemen with a pet mammoth, like food, rocks, and mud, but not baths, and definitely not saber-toothed tigers. The book is a series of vignettes that includes an introduction to the characters and stories revolving around hygiene, creating cave art, and a debate over the mammoth's best friend. The author attempts to use "caveman-speak" throughout the story; unfortunately, there are jarring instances of the dialogue slipping into normal speech. The illustrations are colorful; in the first chapter, they provide visual jokes for readers as Mug the Mammoth tries to hide. This easy chapter book is mildly humorous and likely to appeal to fans of slapstick, but it's not essential for most collections.—Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY
Doofy cavemen Ogg and Bob take a mammoth for a pet (Meet) then try to care for him as if he were a dog (Life). Throughout both books, the slapstick exploits will elicit either giggles or groans, largely depending on readers' tolerance for faux-caveman-speak ("'How catch mammoth?' asked Bob. 'Hit with rock!' said Ogg"). Review covers these Ogg and Bob titles: Life with Mammoth, and Meet Mammoth.
Ogg and Bob are likable and clueless, prehistoric characters in the manner of Amelia Bedelia and The Stupids. Plenty of humor—readers will be entertained by Mug’s success at hiding (in plain sight) from Ogg and Bob; will enjoy the clipped, “caveman-language” style of speech (“Hey! Where Mug go?” “He hiding. Mug not like baths.”); and will laugh at a saber-tooth tiger being identified as “a kitty.”” A “Meet the Characters” spread introduces readers to the people and animals they will encounter in the book, aiding in character recognition. Mary Ann Fraser’s cheerful illustrations meld nicely with the text, adding to the fun.

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