by Hanmin Kim Publishers Weekly Distinctively stylized paintings distinguish this cautionary tale from South Korean author-illustrator Kim. Set "long ago in a jungle where many animals lived," the story introduces Tapir and Little Tapir, who are quiet and cautious by nature ("Tiptoe, tiptoe. They were careful not to step on an ant"). This alone isn't enough to keep them safe, however. In a frightening sequence, an orange leopard with needlelike teeth and hooked claws tears through the jungle after them. Just as suddenly, a new danger reveals itself: "Bang! Bang! Bang!" blasts a hunter's shotgun as three round bursts explode just over the animals' heads. Following the tapirs' tiptoeing example allows the leopard and his intended prey to survive. Intriguing details await careful readers (is that Kim himself tiptoeing behind his tapir heroes on the inside front cover?), and the inky silhouetted vegetation and animals' vacant, ghostlike eyes both help establish a sense of the jungle as a mysterious, unpredictable place. But while readers are left with the assurance that the hunter "left the jungle, never to return," the violent encounter casts a lingering pall. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved School Library Journal K-Gr 2-Even in the peaceful jungle, you can hear the "BOOM-BOOM" of an elephant, the "BAM-BAM" of a rhinoceros, the "CAW-CAW" of a hornbill, and the "HOO-HAA-HOO-HAA" of an ape. But you can't hear Tapir and her little one. Ever silent and ever gentle, two tiptoeing tapirs take center stage in this retelling of a classic pourquoi tale. The thought of delicious mud cakes inspires the tapir pair to walk silently through the jungle, past the waterfall and along the river to the Great Puddle. When they reach their destination, they are pleased to see plenty of mud, when, suddenly..."THUD, THUD, THUD...GROWL!" Out of nowhere, a leopard attacks! With the softest steps, the tapirs try to escape. Just as the leopard has the tapirs in his clutches, a hunter's shotgun fires. "BANG! BANG! BANG!" Now the leopard must escape! With a "hush, hush," Tapir and Little Tapir show the leopard how to tiptoe to safety. Rich, traditional, and somewhat meditative watercolor-style artwork graces each page, while perfectly timed sounds and alliterations add to the suspense of the story. Rhymes and animal sounds make this an ideal choice for an action-based read-aloud. VERDICT This delightful tale effortlessly supplements most picture book collections.-Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Book list This translation of a picture book originally published in South Korea offers a hopeful pourquoi story made unusual by its setting, Southeast Asia, and its stars, Tapir and Little Tapir. Kim presents them as quiet creatures in a jungle of noisy animals. A rhythmic, repetitive text uses onomatopoeia to capture the cacophony BOOM-BOOM, BAM-BAM, CAW-CAW and contrasts it with Tapir and Little Tapir's Tiptoe, tiptoe, and Hush, hush, hush. They are adorably rendered in watercolor washes with big blank eyes that make them look guileless. Children familiar with this kind of tale will not be surprised by an element of danger. Here, a fierce orange leopard chases them. What may, however, shock some is that a worse threat is yet to come a human hunting the leopard: BANG! BANG! BANG! The gentle tapirs teach the leopard to walk softly and escape, ending the tale on a happy note: once all the animals are quiet, the hunter leaves, never to return. Students following current events involving big-game hunting may wish to compare this tale with Hamilton's He Lion, Bruh Bear, and Bruh Rabbit (The People Could Fly, 1985).--McDermott, Jeanne Copyright 2016 Booklist From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. |
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