The Long, Long Line
A bird instructs other animals to line up single file, although readers (and most of the animals) are clueless about why they are queuing. Ohmura depicts, identifies, and numbers each animal, from “#50 Frog” to “#1 Elephant.” Ordered from smallest to largest, many make fidgety comments: “What’s this line for?” “What? You don’t know?” After a patient wait, the goal is finally disclosed—a jumbo coaster ride on the back of a whale. In a revealing gatefold, readers see each animal lined up from the whale’s snout to tail, and subsequent spreads depict the ride’s stomach-churning acrobatics and delighted passengers. Ohmura employs a white background with a black lower edge on which the vividly colored animals stand, while numbers and labels underneath each creature aid in identification. This is a tale rich with opportunities for learning. Preschoolers will enjoy counting, noting relative sizes, and naming the animals; slightly older children will appreciate reading the witty repartee and solving the mystery. This makes a great choice for STEM story hours. Preschool-Grade 2. --Kay Weisman