Baboon - Softcover

Ages 3^-5. A baby baboon is introduced to the complexities of the world in this deceptively simple story. Mother takes her child into the great forest. "So the world is green," the young baboon notes. "Some of it," his mother replies. As they progress into the forest, Baboon tries to hold on to the truths he thinks he sees: the world is slow because the turtle takes so long to pass; a crocodile opens his mouth wide, and the world seems hungry. But when a gazelle dashes past, Baboon sees that the world can be fast, and when he spies a monkey in a tree, he realizes that although many creatures in the world are different from him, there are some that are like him, too. As evening falls, Baboon understands that the world is big. "Yes," his mother says softly, "the world is big." In a reassuring yet uncompromising manner, Banks opens young children's eyes to the message that there is more to their universe than they might know or understand. The chunky artwork, executed in jungle hues, features strong central images that work exceptionally well for the age group. A book that will support children's own questioning. Ilene Cooper