The Weasel, Puffin, Unicorn, Baboon, Pig, Lobster Race

Gr 1–3—Nonsense verse is alive and well in this psychedelic offering from the United Kingdom. In a rhyme scheme similar to that of "The Walrus and the Carpenter" or "The Jabberwocky," a tale is spun about a great race through garden, sea, and jungle. A disparate group of animals vies for the finish line, with each one in turn seeking to win "this slippery race…and beat those other beasts,/but first of all I'm going to need/a sneaky way to cheat." Weasel, Puffin, Baboon, and Pig use a variety of items, from custard to bananas, to get ahead. In the end, however, Unicorn is declared the winner, for though he did not come in first, he also did not cheat along the way. The illustrations are reminiscent of The Beatles' Yellow Submarine and feature a limited palette of reds, pinks, and purples with only the occasional accent of a contrasting color. While the appeal is probably limited, young fans of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear will enjoy this title. An additional purchase for poetry collections and curriculum support.—Martha Link Yesowitch, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, NC