IT WAS YOU, BLUE KANGAROO!

Lily and her beloved kangaroo (Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo, 2001, etc.) return in a tale of naughtiness and redemption. A recent spate of mischievousness has Lily in hot water with her mother until she hatches a sly plan to place the blame on her stuffed animal. Lily summarily lays each disaster—flooding the kitchen, driving the cat mad, launching her clothing out the window—at the stuffed feet of Blue Kangaroo. However, when she is sent to bed with out her best buddy, Lily has time for reflection. A remorseful note “written” by the kangaroo finds its way to Lily’s mother, and the pair is happily reunited. Clark convincingly portrays Lily’s relationship with Blue as interactive. Lily’s misadventures are observed by the patient Kangaroo, with commentary provided by the beast that is both humorous and a foreshadowing of Lily’s imminent mishaps. Clark exhibits a keen appreciation of how seemingly great ideas can turn into mini-disasters in the hands of small fry. Lily’s trials and tribulations are bound to resonate with young readers, while the loving resolution is gently reassuring and affirming. The colorful, detailed illustrations reflect the beguiling impishness of Lily and contain a subtle thread of wry humor—plus smaller, comically expressive inserts that depict Blue Kangaroo’s musings. An engaging cautionary tale about the importance of being truthful. (Picture book. 2-5)