I DID SEE A MAMMOTH!

Penguins aren’t mammoths!

When a diverse threesome of researchers and a small, tan-skinned child set out to see penguins in the Antarctic, the child has other ideas: “But I’m going to see a MAMMOTH.” Venturing out alone, the protagonist stumbles across…a mammoth skateboarding! But mammoths are extinct, says one of the researchers. And when they were alive, they weren’t found in the Antarctic. Perhaps the child really saw a penguin? But this only makes the protagonist more determined to prove themself right. Again and again it happens, only this time the child sees the mammoth skateboarding while wearing a frilly pink tutu; later the mammoth adds a scuba mask to the ensemble (while submerged underwater). Will no one believe the child? A tantrum leads to an avalanche of a result—and finally the protagonist’s claims are proven true. The mammoth departs, returning home to their cave to boldly state, “I DID see a human!” to a trio of adults. A final note reminds readers that mammoths were traditionally found in the Northern Hemisphere while penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere, but just because there’s never been any evidence of Antarctic mammoths, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep looking. It’s a funny tale and one that storytellers will have a lot of fun telling—the child’s wild declarations and outraged indignation are supported by colorful and zany illustrations. Savvy educators and caregivers might see this as a humorous introduction to heavier themes of extinction, conservation, and climate change. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Delightful and fun!