ANIMALS WORK

Mechanization is not in sight in this look at how animals still help humans at work and at play.

Expansive double-page spreads present an international array of animals as they assist humans in a variety of jobs. The book’s opening page portrays a dog herding sheep, and it continues with horses, camels, donkeys, reindeer, oxen, a goat and an elephant all carrying or pulling. Then a spirit of back and forth comes into play as “Sheep mow” and “Llamas keep sheep safe.” Finally, a boy happily holds his cat in his arms and takes very good care of him. Some of the animals, such as the camels, the elephant and the reindeer, are portrayed in their native habitats with the humans who direct them. The goat pulls a cart with a bunny rabbit nestled securely inside, while the sheep and the llamas stand proudly on a carpet of green. Lewin masterfully combines realism with child appeal in his expressive watercolors. His short, declarative sentences with repeating verbs will encourage emerging readers. A map of the world at the end of the book highlights where this globe-trotting author/illustrator saw the animals; helpful indeed.

Inviting.