Eager for a change, the two set off, Fritz to celebrate his birthday in a faraway place and Tabitha for an exciting rainforest adventure. At first, the two have great fun. Fritz loves the "small human," Tabitha's owner Claire and enjoys playing in the pool and trying new food. Tabitha meets her jungle cat relatives and delights in the sights and sounds of the jungle.
However, things go downhill quickly. Fritz's free and easy ways don't fit well in the city and he makes several mistakes that annoy and outrage his new neighbors. Meanwhile Tabitha is having trouble fitting into the life of an elephant, with all that mud and water. Frustrated and lonely for their respective homes, the two happily agree to switch back early and are happy to return to their own places, taking their memories of new friends with them.
Stansfield's colorful art makes a great backdrop for Frawley's tongue-in-check messages, showing just how wrong things can go in an unfamiliar place, from Tabitha using the meerkat's home as a litterbox to Fritz rolling in the dust of a very tidy suburban backyard. The animals remain determinedly cheerful and keep trying, even though things are difficult, but both are clearly pleased to be back in their proper places.
While this could be somewhat discouraging for kids who are immigrants or have moved from other places, it's a funny story for kids who are well-established in their homes and like to imagine what a far-away adventure might be like or to illustrate the adage of "the grass is always greener." It could also spark some discussion about what it's like to experience a different culture and how to handle it when the solution isn't as easy as a quick plane flight home.
Verdict: A funny story about appreciating what you have and trying new things, even when they don't work out as expected.
ISBN: 9781542008549; Published June by Two Lions; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library
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