BRYSON THE BRAVE BISON

When should we run away from danger, and when should we run into it?

Bryson is far from the largest or strongest of his bison herd and lacks artistic gifts, but he has “smarts” (an accompanying illustration suggests that higher-order math is his domain). He and his friends enjoy the “wide-open ranges and canyons so grand.” They fear thunderstorms but, unfortunately, live in a region where they are common. One day a storm breaks out. Bryson’s “plan”: run into the storm. The text lauds the “courage he chose,” though it’s not clear why he was sure they’d be safe as the lightning strikes all around them, nor how he knew which direction would take them out of the storm. Where is the line between bravery and foolhardiness? The verse is sometimes awkward and not always coherent (“He used his big thinker, no matter the season”—is it more difficult to think at some times of the year? Does lightning “boom like a drum”?). The illustrations might override doubts, however. They are vibrantly wacky; realistic yet expressive bison sport human haircuts, with hooves that are otherwise convincingly natural but in a pinch can grip. The underlying message is a good one: Face fears boldly, and you can get through to the other side. But here, confronting fear means running right into the path of lightning. Do NOT try this at home! (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A tale with lively illustrations but challenging prosody and an inadvertently risky takeaway.