THE GREAT GERBIL ROUNDUP

by Stephen Manes ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 10, 1988

Looney humor and clever, tongue-in-cheek social commentary combine in this brief novel from a prolific author. Elton Wazoo and McBeth McBeth attempt to bring fame to the sleepy small town of Gerbil, Pa. Their efforts include trying to move Niagara Falls: ""If the country can put a man on the moon and INTERPETCO scientists can invent a crunch-less dry cat food, maybe you can figure a way to move Niagara Falls to Gerbil."" When that fails, they create the First National Drive-Thru Museum of American Sightseeing and Clean Rest Rooms (tourists can take their vacations in ten minutes in air-conditioned comfort, without ever leaving their cars); finally, they hold a giant Gerbil Roundup, where tourists in cowboy costumes are issued miniature lariats and attempt to capture gerbils rodeo-style. The cartoonlike illustrations detract; Elton and McBeth, who behave like 12-year-olds in the text, appear to be about six in the illustrations, and the portrayal of goggle-eyed gerbils suggests that the illustrator has never seen a gerbil. Still, entertaining fare for middle grades, suitable for reading aloud.

Pub Date: Sept. 10, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 107

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S