cover image Moonglow Roll O Rama

Moonglow Roll O Rama

Dav Pilkey. Scholastic, $16.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-531-06876-2

In this inventive nocturnal romp, Pilkey's (When Cats Dream; the Dragon books) delectable poetry sweeps readers into a fun-filled world where animals can be found ``skating in moonlight/ And drifting in breezes,/ Rolling in starshine/ And dancing in treeses.'' From its anticipatory opening query (``Have you ever wondered/ Where animals go,/ At night when the light/ Of the moon is aglow?'') the excitement gradually mounts, as myriad assorted species can be seen converging from great distances on the eponymous rink-``It's open all night!'' Through shadowy forests and across moonlit rivers the animals trek, finally skating by the glow of Christmas tree lights in a rush of color and movement. Pilkey's generally dark-toned illustrations, both impressionistic and primitive, resemble his work in When Cats Dream. Here, giant moons in changing hues illumine several spreads (the final page, in fact, makes a nod to Spielberg's E.T.), filling the book with all the mystery and magic of the night. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)