A Crash of Rhinos

Playing off the double meanings of collective nouns, newcomers Danylyshyn and Lomp place anthropomorphized animals in lively scenes. A “band” of gorillas performs on stage, its lead singer an Elvis lookalike (“Jumping and jiving like rock ’n’ roll kings,/ in trees or on stage, they know how to swing”). Other collectives include a “committee” of necktie-wearing vultures sitting around a conference table, an athletic “run” of salmon, and a “pride” of lions having their manes and claws done at a salon. While Danylyshyn’s rhymes can get a bit strained (during the vultures’ meeting, “With hooked bill and hunched-over back,/ they vote on what’s next, dinner or snack”), Lomp’s digital illustrations bring an appealing, Golden Books–style retro fun to the pages. Ages 4–8. [em]Author’s agent: Christopher Hermelin, Fischer-Harbage Agency, Illustrator’s agency: Bright Agency. (Jan.) [/em]