From Publishers Weekly
Wendy Weir's verdant acrylic paintings of rain forest flora and fauna form the rich background for this suspenseful conservation tale. When Lokuli's village runs out of meat, the boy defies his parents' warnings and sneaks into the rain forest to hunt for food. But unbeknownst to him, a sleek black panther monitors his every move. Lokuli loses his direction deep among the trees and must spend the night in the dark jungle, which is teeming with unfamiliar noises. Boy and animal eventually confront each other: they form a spiritual bond, and the panther furnishes the meat needed by the villagers. The authors' text maintains a keen balance of information and dramatic tension, while a glossary, labeled key to the illustrations and a map of the region provide easy identifications. The book is packaged with an audiocassette that features narration of the story and thematic music performed by Bob Weir, guitarist for the Grateful Dead. This inventive combination is sure to heighten ecological awareness as it entertains. Ages 5-10.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 5-- Lokuli, a young African boy, overhears his father express concern about their village's dwindling food supply. Lokuli enters the forbidden territory of the rainforest, observing numerous animals before he encounters a panther. They engage in a telepathic conversation, and the panther leads him to fresh meat. When his father sees the food the disobedient Lokuli has brought, his anger is forgotten. This product's proceeds will fund African rainforest reforestation projects. But worthiness does not equal excellence and this package by the Grateful Dead guitarist and his sister misses the mark on several counts. The detailed, realistic paintings are often static, even when depicting animals in motion. Many of the butterflies and birds are drawn too large, detracting from the accuracy of the facts worked into the story and lessening the usefulness of the key to the names of creatures. The contrived plot leads to an obvious conclusion, and the story, which shows initial promise in the descriptions of intriguing sights and sounds of the forest, meanders slowly. Even the narration on the accompanying tape does little to move things on; however, the second side, featuring an imaginative composition produced and performed by Weir, is lively and engaging. A mixed effort which, with the increased interest in all things environmental, may still hold interest for some children. --Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, CT
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.