From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2. The sweet, music-loving orangutan introduced in Little Bobo (North-South, 1995) returns. He and his Uncle Darwin make a kite as "big as an eagle, as light as a leaf, white like the clouds." Over lunch, Darwin warns his nephew to avoid humans, because they will stuff you or make you into soup. Before they get a chance to try out the kite, Uncle Darwin becomes ill, and Bobo knows that he must find a human to get medicine. He meets a little boy who has come to the jungle to paint the dawn; the child willingly takes Bobo to his village to get the much-needed medication. As thanks, the monkey gives him his small flute, and Pico supplies the orangutan with brushes and paints. The new friends promise to visit soon, Darwin recovers, and Bobo surprises him with his masterpiece?a kite painted with all of the colors of the rainbow. Children will identify with Bobo's joy in acquiring new levels of competence, and with his love for Uncle Darwin, who lavishes him with time and attention. De Beer's whimsical illustrations help to create a thoroughly likable character, and the full-page scenes of the surroundings lend added detail. This title has a good proportion of text to art, which, along with its large size, makes it a charming title for reading aloud.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Ages 5^-8. This fanciful sequel to
Little Bobo (1995) finds the very anthropomorphic, violin-playing orange orangutan visiting his uncle Darwin and making a kite with him. But Uncle Darwin falls ill and, although he notes that medicine might make him better, only humans have medicine, and "they'll make you into soup." Bobo ventures forth, however, and finds a human child (who looks a lot like him). He learns to paint from the boy, who obligingly supplies him with a bottle of medicine. Uncle Darwin gets better and is charmed by the splashy paint job Bobo has done on the kite. The illustrations are full of clear light and color; Uncle Darwin's canopy bed, with its viney jungle growth, crystal chandelier, and tire-swing accoutrements, is quite a sight. The whole is slight but mildly amusing entertainment.
GraceAnne A. DeCandido
