Chief Rhino to the Rescue! (Whoops-A-Daisy World)
PreSchool-Grade 1—Spotting what looks to be a fire at Number One House Row, brave Chief Rhino is determined to save the day. The crew—a moose, giraffe, zebra, and lion—quickly suits up, dashes to the house in their fire engine, and deploys a ladder. Chief Rhino climbs up to Great-Granny Wrinkle's second-floor home with his hose ready—and blasts the 100 candles on her birthday cake with water. There are no hard feelings, since they all share soggy cake and Great Granny knits a horn-warmer for our hero. Lloyd deftly uses puns ("What the blazes?" or "Great balls of fire!") to keep adults amused. The flat-styled cartoons, energized in reds, yellows, and blues, alternate between large elements and highly detailed views, keeping readers fully engaged. The town portraits are gems: Mama Rabbit pushes a six-kit stroller, two pigs ride a scooter and sidecar, and several critters take a dip at the town pool. Chief Rhino's slightly off-kilter eyes and Giraffe's gangly grace make for comic scenes. A fun rescue romp.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VAEND