Oh, No!

PreS-Gr 2–Rohmann’s relief prints bring an exuberant humor to Fleming’s rhythmic read-aloud. When an elastic-looking frog falls into a deep hole (“Ribbit-oops!”), a timid mouse, lugubrious loris, resourceful sun bear, and jaunty monkey all tumble down after him during unsuccessful rescue attempts. Fleming’s bouncing rhymes and repeated lines–set in comfortably large, rounded text–entice readers into an enjoyable delivery complete with snarled sound effects and onomatopoeic exclamations. The repetitive “Oh, no!” allows listeners to join in with the engaging text as the animals face a lurking tiger eager to snack on the helpless group. Rohmann knows to leave swathes of open space in his full-spread illustrations, focusing attention on his expressive, energetic animals in their vibrant safari palette of bright browns, tans, and greens. In a satisfying conclusion, the refrain returns as the tiger, now stuck in the hole, asks the released animals if they will help him clamber out. Oh, no!