PreS-Gr 1This book begins "Walking through the jungle,/Walking through the jungle,/What do you see?/What do you see?/I think I see a lion,/Chasing after me,/Chasing after me" and continues in this vein as a girl meets five more animals. The text is extremely similar in concept and rhythm to Bill Martin's Brown Bear, Brown Bear... (1983) and Polar Bear, Polar Bear... (1991, both Holt). The bold double-page artwork will draw readers instantly, and they'll find themselves poring over the brightly colored, stunning, acrylic illustrations. Varying facial expressions cleverly convey happiness or fear on the faces of the main character and animals as they encounter one fierce creature after another. While children will enjoy this book, it's unfortunate that it's so close in concept and cadence to Martin's books.Barbara McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, MD
Harter sets her young character trooping through various habitats, chanting as she goes: "Walking through the jungle,/Walking through the jungle,/What do you see?/What do you see?" Readers soon come to understand that each place harbors a creature that might be a threat: "I think I see a lion,/Chasing after me,/Chasing after me." All the animals—from blowfish to Dall sheep to Arctic foxes—are rendered in fantastical colors. Harter provides crisp tension between the book's peaceable kingdoms and a lurking nature, red of tooth and claw, which is beveled by the sweet disposition of the artwork and by the closing pages: Lion, wolf, polar bear, crocodile, and rattle snake follow the girl to her home and sit down for vegetarian snacks. A simple, enjoyable environmental romp.
