COOL TIME SONG

Twilight brings a chorus with a not-so-hidden message to the African savannah in this brief, lyrical appeal. When the hot, hot sun goes down, the lethargic kudus, elephants and other grassland residents revive: “Kudus and zebras drum with their hooves—Puh-tuh. Puh-tuh. Puh-tah. Giraffes rattle dry leaves—Shah-ticka. Shah-ticka. Shah,” and so on, all of which “spreads out and sifts down to our ears in words: ‘Care for the water.’ ‘Tend the land.’ ‘Laugh together.’ ” Morgan’s sunburnt landscapes give way to scenes of relieved-looking creatures trumpeting or howling together, then pan back and back, from a cluster of huts to a dove carrying ribbons of song to encircle the entire Earth. Children familiar with Verna Aardema’s African tales will chime in on the sound effects as readily as they’ll buy into the wise theme. (Picture book. 6-8)