Somewhere in the Bayou, by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. Norton Young Readers, 2022. $23.95 ages 6 and up

 

"What should we do?

WE COULD JUST - 

Find another way? 

NO. THERE'S ONLY
ONE WAY PAST 
A SNEAKY TAIL ... "

The chatter begins before the title page, with the four voices of unseen characters. They are looking for a place to cross the bayou. On the opening spread readers meet the four - a mouse, a squirrel, a possum, and a rabbit. They also see the looks of fear on the four faces as they contemplate a fat, green tail near the log they are hoping to use.

A page turn shows four panels, one for each animal, and their thoughts on taking a chance. The possum will go first - very quietly. A wobble, a smack, and a splash make short work of him. Concern clouds the faces of the remaining three. The squirrel advances the theory that she is the only one who knows what scary is. Screeching, she sets out only to wobble, smack and splash! 

Two are left, and the rabbit is looking annoyed. Unimpressed by the 'mean' tail he sets off to find a big stick. Poke, wobble, smack, splash! Finally the mouse wants to know who the tail belongs to, and yells out her question. There is no answer. Her assumptions about the tail lead her to try and help, thinking the tail is stuck. Her instincts are right, and she is offered a ride. 

"You were so kind to 

me. Please allow me 
to return the favor. 

Funny ... heh, heh ...
I always thought 
alligators ate mice ... 

Oh, we do." 

Is it the end for the mouse? I cannot tell you. But, I guarantee a chuckle as the story ends. 

If you have read other books by the Pumphrey brothers, you are going to love this one, too!