THE GOSSIPY PARROT
by Shen Roddie & illustrated by Michael Terry
In this arch variation on Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears (1975), a parrot named Godfrey gets “such a flutter!” from fomenting fights and arguments among the jungle’s animals with invidious “tittle-tattle.” Lion finally tricks him into making a fool of himself, but when at last Godfrey’s victims turn on him, the worst threat they can mount is the announcement that he can’t be their friend any more. Godfrey’s remorse lasts about a sentence—after which he flies off laughing. Terry gives this rainbow-hued talebearer an oversized head and zeroes in on the annoyed expressions of Godfrey’s various targets; even very young viewers will have no trouble seeing the effect of his maliciousness. The pleasures of gossip seem to outweigh its hazards here, though. (Picture book. 5-7)