THE LOUDEST ROAR

Eager to prove that he is the loudest and fiercest animal in the jungle, Clovis, a very young, small tiger, approaches everyone he sees with a loud ROAR! No one is impressed, but in fact they become rather annoyed at the disturbance he’s creating. The monkeys finally organize a just comeuppance with the offended parrots, wildebeests, and elephants, in a plot line reminiscent of Diane Massie’s classic The Baby Beebee Bird, re-illustrated by Stephen Kellogg (2000). Taylor (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 2002, etc.) has written a cumulative tale that’s predictable and based on an overdone theme. His simple text reads aloud easily and offers opportunity for some participation. The color-pencil drawings in various shades of greens, browns, and blues depict the animals in a caricature fashion, emphasizing their vexed, angry reaction to Clovis and his roars. Clovis’s playful, kitten-style look is completely non-threatening, and he’s much too cute to take seriously. Unimpressive, just like Clovis. (Picture book. 2-5)