Rhino Rumpus. Victoria Allenby. Illustrated by Tara Anderson. Toronto, ON: Pajama Press, 2016. 24 pp., hardcover with padded cover, $16.95. ISBN 978-1-927485-96-5. Preschool-kindergarten / Ages 2-5. Review by Linda Ludke. *** /4 Reviewed from f&g’s.

excerpt:

One little rhino in a mood.
Two little rhinos acting rude.
Three little rhinos tussling, fighting.
Mama rhino cries, No biting!

Bedtime preparations aren’t going too smoothly in the Rhino household. The three Rhino babies fight over toys, make faces at each other and start a riot in the bathtub. Their escapades are recounted in spare, rhyming text. Mama Rhino intervenes with soothing calmness and, after helping them brush their teeth, sends them to sleep with a kiss and a song: “Ohhh, from your hooves to the tip of your horn, Oooh, I’ve loved you since the day you were born.” Mama’s love is reciprocated with a big family hug and a quiet moment to herself.

     Tara Anderson’s folksy pencil crayon and acrylic illustrations show the squabbling siblings in all of their mischievous glory. They butt heads, overturn chairs, and snap towels at each other. Mama Rhino, bedecked in a pearl necklace and hoop earrings, keeps her composure throughout the turmoil.

     Victoria Allenby’s zippy verse is full of repetition, and fun sound words like “Fidget fuss frump”, “Huff harrumph” and “Grump grumble Bump-a-rump”. Rhino Rumpus is a rollicking read-aloud and a great choice for toddler storytimes.

Recommended.

Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, ON.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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