Rhino? What Rhino?

PreS-Gr 2—Bored Rhino tiptoes out of the zoo and enthusiastically investigates the world of pies, pudding, clothes, and tree houses. Unfortunately, his girth causes upheaval and adds to the dismay of his victims, who in turn blame their own animals. When each critter discloses the true culprit, a human responds, "Rhino? What rhino? That cannot be true. There's only one rhino and he's at the zoo." Cow, sheep, and pig persuade a confession. The tale ends happily as letters of apology and hard work appease the various animals and Rhino becomes a valued community member. The rhyme bounces beautifully, enriching vocabulary along the way: "tatters," "flick," "knickers." Hart's jovial tone obviously touched Horne's funny bone. Her hilarious cartoons brim with jolly details. A turquoise rhino (nearly a circle on legs) sports bright red pantaloons trimmed in lace; yellow bugs raft in pigsty mud; and blackbirds tend to their clothesline, which is draped between Rhino's ears. You'll definitely hear "Read it again!" with this book and you won't mind a bit.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA