Scheffler's funny scenes prevent the suspense from culminating all his creatures, predator and prey, are downright lovable. It's a fairly innocuous tale, with twists that aren't sharp enough and treachery that has no punch. When the gruffalo hears that the mouse's favorite food is gruffalo crumble, he runs away. When the gruffalo suddenly materializes out of the mouse's head and into the forest, the mouse has to think quick, declaring himself inedible as the "scariest creature in the deep dark wood," and inviting the gruffalo to follow him to witness the effect he has on the other creatures. Similar escapes are in store for an owl and a snake both hightail it when they learn the particulars: tusks, claws, terrible jaws, eyes orange, tongue black, purple prickles on its back. The action of this rhymed and humorous tale centers upon a mouse who "took a stroll/through the deep dark wood./A fox saw the mouse/and the mouse looked good." The mouse escapes being eaten by telling the fox that he is on his way to meet his friend the gruffalo (a monster of his imagination), whose favorite food is roasted fox. Corn’s neat mustache, the visual focus is on the veggies’ hip exuberance rather than gender stereotypes.Ī rousing read-aloud begging for enthusiastic performers. Aside from some pink tutus for the sweet potato sisters and Mr.
YEAHHHH.” The gifted Tate’s illustrations resemble loose, translucent watercolors contoured by wide, waxy lines. “Then, / the sweet potato sisters / dance as sweet as pie, / pirouette and flit / and flutter, / curtsy with a sigh.” After working up a sweat, it’s time to slow-dance back into the “delicious coldness” of the fridge, “(sweet potatoes to the bin),” all contemplating “their / fantabulous / PAR-TAY.
In between, syncopated rhymes introduce the fruits and vegetables, many of whom take up instruments to “make a mighty music / for the party that’s to come.” After turns by Zucchini and Hip-Hop String Bean, “The baby limas wobble-dance, / can hardly stand at all, / their mamas run / and catch them, / the moment they start to fall.” Next up: hot chili peppers and a stately waltz from Mr. Greenfield’s beginning and ending passages are in free verse. They dance, of course-once Cabbage summons them forth as the family departs. Greenfield invites children to imagine what a fridge full of veggies might do once their people leave for the evening.
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