Stay Close to Mama

January 30, 2012
Like all babies, Twiga the giraffe is curious. He hears, smells, or sees something new and off he gallops, oblivious to the anxieties of his “tall, tall mama,” who knows that predators are everywhere on the savanna: “No, little Twiga. Stay close, stay safe.” There’s no doubt that readers and their parents will instantly see themselves in this loving but ongoing conflict over the need to explore and the need to protect, and they’ll undoubtedly find the two characters adorable and reassuring. But Buzzeo (One Cool Friend) and Wohnoutka’s (Can’t Sleep Without Sheep) execution falls short in key respects. The savanna looks more like a cheery local meadow than a hot, “dusty plain,” and this geographic de-clawing lowers the life-and-death stakes considerably. Furthermore, the writer and illustrator are at odds over whether Twiga ever understands how much danger he’s in (Buzzeo suggests yes, Wohnoutka seems to indicate no). Because the book deprives readers of a strong point of view, the scenes lack comedic or dramatic tension. Ages 1–5. Agent: Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary.

April 1, 2012
A young giraffe repeatedly lands in dangerous situations when his curiosity gets the best of him. Concerned mama giraffe knows many threats exist on the African savanna, but her little Twiga ("giraffe" in Swahili) "is so curious." The "tall, tall mama...leans close and whispers a warning, / No, little Twiga. Stay close, stay safe." Twiga's keen senses prove irresistible. He hears music in a thorny tree, sees sparkly water and smells the delicious fruit of the sausage tree. Each time he approaches the attractive object, a predator or serious discomfort--hyena, stinging ants, crocodile, cheetah--looms near. The clueless Twiga always manages to move onto the next pursuit just in time. Mama giraffe is often shown in the background looking worried. But Twiga, other than in the moment the ants crawl onto his nose, never learns the important lesson that being careful will surely save his life. Somehow all is forgiven after Twiga grabs the sweet fruit and returns to his mama...at least until the next time. Overall there are many elements that seem off: the contradictory message, the sometimes-precious tone of the text and the disconnect between the textual description of the setting and what is shown in Wohnoutka's illustrations. The text describes "tall brown grass" and a "dusty plain," but the full-bleed spreads show mostly lush green landscapes dotted with flowers. Pass on this muddled effort. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-5)

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January 1, 2012

PreS-K-Despite his mother's reminders to "Stay close, stay safe," young Twiga (Swahili for "giraffe") constantly strays toward whichever sight, sound, or smell catches his attention. His inquisitiveness is not diminished by stinging ants, a tumble in crocodile-infested waters, or a close call with a cheetah. He ultimately snags the fruit of a tasty-smelling sausage tree and returns to Mother. At sunset, he looks out to the horizon and the text states, "And Twiga is so curious." The author's concluding notes describe giraffes' dislike of water and their inquiring nature despite their shyness. Readers also learn that the favored fruit actually smells like bats. Wohnoutka's large, almost impressionistic paintings grant a rich glimpse of the vast savanna and its denizens.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Preschool-K Looking out across the dusty savanna, Twiga knows that he should stay with his mama, but time and again the curious little giraffe races off, following a clattering sound, a glittering light, or a delicious smell. His mother follows to keep watch. Like her, readers will notice what Twiga misses, the sharp-toothed hyena eyeing him from behind the termite mound, the crocodile lurking in the water, and the cheetah rising on the tree limb. It all sounds a bit ominous, but the story's tone is actually reassuring, and in the end Twiga is safe, snuggling against his mother's side. Written with a storyteller's ear for cadence and repetition, the text has a sense of immediacy. The book concludes with a short author's note on giraffes. Nicely composed and pleasing in their use of rounded forms and line, the broad double-page illustrations show up well from a distance. A good choice for reading aloud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)