"She started with the itty-bitty animals,
dabbing dots on ladybugs and spots
on butterflies.
As the morning went on, she slicked stripes
on zebras, and painted pentagons on
giraffes. She popped penguins into sharp
suits and furnished flamingos with
feathers of delicate pink."
This lively and lovely tale makes a case for the origin of the nightingale's song. In the beginning, the earth was full of color. Day and night scenes show light-infused scenes of wonder. There are deserts burning with red, yellow and orange. The animals have no color at all.
The painter decides that must change. When all the animals congregate, their line is long. She gets right to work. She starts with the tiny ones, and moves on to paint stripes, spots, pentagons and feathers. The painter does not rest; the animals continue to make their way to her side. When the painting stops momentarily, a mandrill sits on the paint box and 'ends' up with a colorful bottom.
The work continues throughout the day. This time the colors are monochromatic: green, gray, red, orange, yellow and blue. The last animal to arrive is a tiny beetle. Her job done, the painter closes her box of paints in preparation for a return home. Wait! One bird is left; a bird who avoided being in the midst of the cacophony of sound made by the others during the long day. What color will the artist use? What she does with the tiny drop of gold paint that is left is what gives such tales an abiding appeal.
Laura Carlin's paintings are created using watercolor, acrylic, and pencil. They are wonderful, adding both humor and drama to the storytelling. She adds beauty to the author's glorious text at every turn of the page.
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