I'm the Scariest Thing in the Jungle!
One-upmanship and its perils are a standard theme of folklore. In this story of competing predators, Derrick borrows the trope and uses it lightly, managing to charm readers while feeding them plenty of information about the most-feared animals in India—tigers and crocodiles. The baby versions of these animals meet up one day to brag about their prowess, cumulatively listing their best features: ability to climb versus invisibility in water; long claws versus sharp teeth. Who wins? Well, it’s a draw when they realize their moms are missing and something is lurking in the shadows. All ends well, though, and readers will find themselves satisfied with the maternal conclusion. Derrick’s tumbling drawings are delightfully balanced, with the muscular frames of the heroes and the other denizens of their world naturalistically yet loosely drawn and the environment infused with glowing watercolor blues, yellows, and greens. The story’s rhythm is similar—it spreads broadly at first before tightening upon our scared little protagonists. With dialogue colored to identify both characters,this would be ideal for two kids reading along. Preschool-Grade 2. --Karen Cruze