Rezensionen

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New Books in German

Regular reviews of new German titles recommended for translation into English.

Sensation in Lubalu-Land! Monkey has discovered an old map showing the site of some hidden treasure and naturally all the animals are agog to set out and find it. The courageous lion, the crafty monkey, the kangaroo and the long-necked giraffe will all be of the party, but what about poor little hamster Heinz? He is vertically challenged and timid as well, so why should he be included? Only after a lot of arguing do the other animals allow him to come.

He is accident-prone and useless from the start. When a big stone is discovered he is too feeble to push it away. Only the elephant can do that. The lion, with his sharp eyes that can see almost in the dark, has no difficulty in leading the way through a frightening and murky tunnel. Heinz is nearly too scared to follow the rest, and even more helpless when they come to a vast maze. They are lucky to have the giraffe, his long neck providing an indispensable aerial view, to pilot them, and him, out.

Next to challenge them is a deep ravine – which has to be crossed on a tightrope! The elephant offers to carry Heinz, but the little chap is so scared of heights that he drops the map. A fall-guy in every sense! All seems lost until the monkey saves the day, swiftly grabbing the map as it falls. And Heinz does even worse when the party reaches the swamps. His sneezes alert the crocodiles and the whole group has to run for it.

But the hapless hamster will turn up trumps in the end. When the animals finally reach the gate behind which the treasure is hidden, and when all their heaving fails to open it, who is it whose little body enables him to sneak through a tiny hole and unlock it from within? We leave you to guess.

From Booklist

A lonely dog wanders off in search of friendship in this unassuming take on a well-worn but ever-green theme. The theme isn't all that's green, as Krischanitz's stubby-legged pooch is a study in chartreuse, but kids are more likely to find little Buddy's appealing shyness more noticeable than his hue. Several animals--a big dog, some sheep, and a trio of cats, among others--who regard Buddy with off-putting suspicion on his first pass become instant friends after he meets a friendly fox (colored a dark, brilliant red), who takes him back over his route to break the conversational ice; in the final spread, all are seen cavorting together in a grassy field. The terse text has a repetitive, cumulative structure; youngsters will find this a sunnier, more predictable alternative to Eric Carle's Do You Want to Be My Friend? (1971) and similar picture books. John Peters

Buddy is the new dog on the block, a chartreuse pudge-ball of immense visual appeal. His problem is that he can't make any friends; every creature in the vicinitymouse to sheep, cats, rabbits, and even other dogseither leaves him, glowers at him, or chases him off. Buddy, reduced to tears, is approached by a sympathetic fox. When Buddy relates that nobody seems to like him, the fox suggests he ask why, a question that demands courage. The fox accompanies Buddy on his friendship quest, and, as in Mike McClintock's classic A Fly Went By (1958), it turns out to be a case of mistaken intentionsthe cats thought Buddy was going to attack them, the sheep thought he was going to herd them, and so forth. Once things get straightened out, they all become friends. Krischanitz's messagethat making that second effort is fraught with emotional landmines, but might be worth the effortis a noble one, and that it was recommended by a fox will give it the seal of approval with children. The artwork is stellar, a feast of highly expressive imagery. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Poor Migas! He's new to the neighborhood and no one seems to want to play with him. Rejected first by a mouse, then in rapid succession by some cats, a few rabbits, a herd of sheep, and a large dog, Migas descends into the depths of depression before a wise fox helps him out. With a little explanation, everyone wants to be Migas's friend, and the whole crew ends the day playing happily together. This rather pedestrian story line is saved by the fresh, rolling language, translated ably by Almohar. The repetitions will draw young listeners in and make it easy for beginning readers to detect patterns. Krischanitsz's watercolor illustrations are comic and gentle, with round-eyed animals looking suspicious, frightened, and ultimately happy. The palette, in reassuring greens and golds, gives the whole a comforting, homey look. Like classics such as Lillian Hoban's Will I Have a Friend? (Macmillan, 1967), this is a sound easy reader for youngsters who wonder if they will ever blend in. A solid addition for bookstores, as adults will be drawn to its handsome appearance. Ann Welton, Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, Tacoma, WA