From Publishers Weekly
At first, it looks like Jack's al fresco lunch in the park is going to be strictly a mother-son affair. But no sooner does Jack say, "I wish there was someone to play with," than a cheery giraffe appears. Jack asks Giraffe to lunch; the animal accepts, "But first—let's play!" Jack sits astride Giraffe and the two go "gallopy, gallopy through the tall grass" while Mom finishes setting up. Jarrett (
Catherine and the Lion) sets her colored-pencil drawings against expanses of white space—only Mom and the picnic blanket feel especially grounded—and the pictures have the spontaneity and joie de vivre of a classroom art project. A few scraggly marks serve as grass, while enthusiastic squiggles constitute clouds or a tree's crown; the curvilinear form of the giraffe captures the energy and length of his stride. Jack and Giraffe meet a succession of other playmates—a trumpeting elephant ("tootley-toot-toot"), a leaping leopard ("lollopy, lollopy") and a tap-dancing tiger—and when Mom finally has the spread ready, it's everything a kid could wish for: hot dogs, pizza, chocolate cake and strawberries. With simple-hearted whimsy and celebratory, imaginative spirit, Jarrett lays out a treat, too—a picture-book banquet few readers will likely resist. Ages 2-5.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K–While his mom sets out a picnic in the park, Jack wishes for a playmate. When a giraffe appears, he happily agrees to join in a bit of a gallop. An elephant then suggests some trumpeting ("tootley-toot-toot") and the giraffe gallops behind. Jack's parade soon includes a leaping leopard and a dancing tiger as well. When Mom announces that it's time to eat, they all enjoy the "hot dogs, pizza, chocolate cake, and strawberries" and agree that this picnic was the best ever. As in
Catherine and the Lion (Carolrhoda, 1996; o.p.), Jarrett introduces a youngster who creates imaginary playmates to solve a universal problem of childhood. The simple and repetitive text is perfectly suited to this straightforward and sweetly innocent adventure with a slightly British feel. From the endpapers with their loosely crayoned leaves that look as though a child could have drawn them to the buoyant and cheerful characters leaping through wispy grass, this paean to the joy of a robust imagination has great child appeal. Don't be surprised if young listeners decide to join in Jack's imaginary fun and trumpet, leap, and dance a bit themselves.
–Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
