GECKO'S COMPLAINT: A Balinese Folktale

In an unremarkable retelling of a Balinese folktale, a cast of irritable animals offers lessons in forbearance. Gecko complains to Chief Raden, the lion in charge of the jungle, that the fireflies keep him awake. Raden's investigation reveals the fireflies' nocturnal flashing is a response to Woodpecker's noise, itself a warning about Black Beetle's unsanitary habit of rolling the dung of Water Buffalo. For his part, Water Buffalo offers this odd defense: "Rain makes huge potholes in the jungle path. I leave my dung on the pathway to fill up these holes, making it easier for all to travel." As Raden interrogates Rain, he has an epiphany about Rain's importance to the jungle, then commands the animals, "Quit your complaining! Go home and live in peace with one another!" Painted in what the jacket describes as a traditional Balinese style, the acrylic, pen and ink illustrations seem flat and static. Although intriguingly composed, the jungle scenes suffer from inconsistent draftsmanship. Rabbits sport strangely elongated snouts; Raden's haunches appear unnaturally long and rounded; his mane changes color from spread to spread. Such distractions dilute the already lukewarm message. Ages 6-9. (May)