Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco: Two Polar Bears On A Mission To Save The Klondike Cafe!
Right up front we'll say that the song "Victor Vito" is a much better song than  it is a story. However, if you read the book while listening to the CD,  you'll have a fun (and nonsensical) illustrated-song  experience. Fortunately, the CD is included in the back, and features  the songs "Victor Vito" and the catchy "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," both  written and performed by Berkner. Plus, the music to "Victor Vito" (with all four verses) is printed in the  back for those wanting to create a festive and musical story hour.The book begins with a letter from polar bears Victor and Freddie,  owners of Alaska's Klondike Café, announcing to the seal-waitresses and  walrus-cooks that they are embarking on a cross-America road trip to  discover new, not-so-fishy taste treats. In New Mexico, they eat a  burrito with Tabasco: "They put it on their rice, they put it on their  beans." In Louisiana, they put it "on their rutabagas, and on their  collard greens." In New York City, a squirrel maitre d' suggests, "Hey  VICTOR! Hey Freddie! Let's eat some spaghetti." They do... with Tabasco.  When Victor and Freddie finally get home, everyone is excited to eat  spaghetti instead of the usual Klondike Café fish. Henry Cole's  wonderful depictions of polar bears on their culinary quest are as silly  and lively as Berkner's song. (Preschool and older)--Karin Snelson