A HORSE IN THE HOUSE

What at first appears to be a collection of urban legends is instead a list of 16 amazing animal tales from around the world. Journalist Ablow describes events in which animals acted or were treated in ways that were a little out of the ordinary. Readers learn of a cat with an antenna tail, a komodo dragon that experienced acupuncture and an elephant that received dentures, among others. Each tale is based on a true event with sources cited in a meticulous bibliography. The inherent danger in writing a book of this nature is that the stories may simply come across as tabloid amusements. Yet while Ablow’s surprisingly short commentary doesn’t allow for much contemplation beyond the immediate events themselves, the tales are consistently interesting and worthy of inclusion. Ablow sometimes confuses the issue by creating (as the introduction admits) “colorful flights of fancy” that make the collection appear to be more fantasy than fact. That aside, this is an amusing compilation of strange truths that can be enjoyed despite its confusing presentation. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10)