Chipmunk, a neat little brown creature with heavily brushtroked fur and big eyes, loves to chirp. She has a favorite rock and from there she chirps away, her songs shown in showers of light, vibrant sprays of pinks and reds, or melancholy swirls of purple and black. Despite her appreciate of the quiet listening of her friend, the rock, she wishes for a friend who can sing with her and sets off to find one.
As she scampers across the forest floor, Chipmunk comes across new friends; first a pinecone, then a log. But although each is a good friend and a good listener, she still longs for a friend who can join in her songs. Luckily, there are a few creatures watching her make new friends and they come to her rescue when she attempts to move Log back to meet Rock and Pinecone. Her new furry friends not only appreciate listening to her songs, they also sing along and the air is full of Chipmunk's chirping music. The story ends with Chipmunk, surrounded by her friends, both animate and inanimate, sending a brilliant pink ribbon of song into the dark blue sky.
Ok, first I just have to point out that, in case you didn't realize it, this is definitely fiction. Chipmunks are cute and adorable, but they are also destructive and aggressive little rodents, which usually live alone, defending their small territories, and while they do chirp (among other sounds) a lot, the sounds are generally made to warn away other creatures, not call for friends. The resident chipmunks that collect in my yard like to sit on the step or shepherd's hooks and "pop" a kind of chirping sound that warns of hawks or other airborne danger. There are no hawks or other airborne danger. They've just figured out that it scares away the other chipmunks. Also they aggressively take on squirrels, rabbits, robins, and pretty much anything that gets in their way. We have a love-hate relationship.
Ahem. Personal and factual notes aside, this is an adorable book with a charming - female! - main character. Magoon's colorful illustrations are delightful and kids will enjoy the humor of Chipmunk making friends with rocks and pinecones as well as hopefully see the message that it's ok to have friends who are different - and good at different things.
Verdict: This is a little lengthy for a storytime read-aloud, especially if you are working with toddlers, but it will appeal to more thoughtful preschoolers and everybody can enjoy an adorable chipmunk and make some fun chirping sounds!
ISBN: 9781534470026; Published July 2021 by Simon & Schuster; Galley provided by publisher; Purchased for the library
No comments:
Post a Comment