TALL

The lovable chimp, Bobo, of the wilds of Africa and previous title Hug (2000), returns with a desire to be taller than his small stature permits. First standing on top of a rock, his buddies—frog, lion cub, elephant calf and giraffe—help him successively reach greater heights by allowing him to stand on their shoulders or heads. When giraffe’s horned head proves to be a bit too high and unsteady, Bobo wobbles and falls down to Mommy’s waiting and loving arms. Two dominant alternating words, “small/tall,” build to the climatic three word finale, “fall/Bobo/Mommy.” The practically wordless text offers a dramatic scenario of consecutive views with large gouache and marker-pen jungle scenes in greens and pale orange/yellows. Expressive animal caricatures depict the emotions and desires of this cause-and-effect sequence story representing the wish of every child to be as big or as tall as his surrounding older siblings and friends. Endearingly simple and effective for the youngest. (Picture book. 1-3)