Review by Booklist Review
An African cattle egret tries to talk a reluctant rhinoceros into a friendship in this humorous take on a symbiotic relationship. After landing on the huge, one-horned, tiny-eyed rhino, the egret launches into a sales pitch on friendship. A big flaw in the plan emerges as the egret talks about what the rhino can do for the egret but, oddly, never gets around to saying what it can do for the rhino (consume the ticks that the rhino can't get at, squawk off predators). The egret is comically chatty and pesky, throwing out bromides about friendship (helping each other, doing things together, communicating) that this bird is just not doing. The climax, in which the egret gets stuck in quicksand at a watering hole and the rhino pulls it out, says more about true friendship than all of the egret's platitudes. The lively illustrations, done in acrylics, depict realistic animals and landscapes. Somewhat vague about symbiotic relationships, with the egret's descriptions of friendship seeming tacked on, but entertaining overall.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Even a classic symbiotic relationship can get off to a rocky start, Teague (King Kong's Cousin) shows in this verbally and visually rich comedy. The impassive Rhino--the book's acrylic spreads home in on its sculptural bulk--seems perfectly content alone. An incessantly chatty egret is determined to get the relationship wheels turning, though, and with the sun-drenched, blue skies of the savanna forming a single-plane backdrop, the bird tries to ingratiate itself, unctuously prattling about the principles of friendship and even trotting out dad jokes ("You will have no egrets about that. Ha-ha"). When the rhino momentarily drops its stolid demeanor, bucking the egret off its horn, the bird presses on: "Let that be a lesson to both of us--a lesson about respecting personal boundaries!" But even though its unrelenting delivery receives little response, the egret is right about what it takes to be a good a friend--respect, compromise, communication, and kindness ("And loyalty and honesty and appreciation, of course")--and when the bird gets trapped in quicksand, the rhino exhibits all these qualities in its own inimitable way. Birds of a feather may flock together, but successful friendships involve finding someone whose heart is in the right place. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Sometimes friends appear in the most unexpected places. Such is the example of the cattle egret and the rhinoceros. While the egret does all the talking in this book set in Africa, the rhino has plenty of nonverbal communication. The egret explains to the rhino what a symbiotic relationship is and why each is important to the other. The egret, punning along the way, explains their strengths and weaknesses and how symbiosis works. In a fun and educational text, the egret explains to the rhino what friends do for each other, like helping; respecting boundaries; compromising; allowing alone time; and being loyal, honest, and appreciative of the other, in addition to being kind. Teague isn't interested in teaching textbook symbiosis; when the egret is about to be lost to some quicksand, the rhino engages in a rescue that may or may not be cued from nature. But this will grab interest, as will the background scenes that contain images of African animals in their natural setting. Teachers and parents alike will find this book enjoyable to read many times as chatty egret comes off as slightly overbearing, pushing the limits of the friendship to the point that it becomes quite entertaining. VERDICT Pick this book as a wonderful read-aloud for units on wild animals, symbiotic relationships, or just a comic romp between two unlikely friends.--Tracy Cronce
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Egret and Rhino need each other, but will they really be pals? When an egret lands on a rhino, the egret is certain they will be friends. The rhino is noncommittal. Egret says they'll have a symbiotic relationship ("It means…We are going to be pals!"). "Perhaps you are thinking, 'I am not the friendly type,' " says the egret. "I understand. I will teach you." The talkative egret starts suggesting things they can do together. Chase the jackals? Rhino doesn't seem inclined. Eat grasshoppers? Rhino's not interested. A ride on the rhino's horn? The rhino really doesn't like that, and the egret says that's a teachable moment about recognizing boundaries. The rhino goes about their day as the egret keeps proposing activities. When the two each enjoy some alone time, the egret gets stuck in quicksand, and the rhino comes to their aid. With the egret safe, the friendship (such as it is) continues. The egret's loquacious lesson in friendship includes some large words that may take some explaining, and their barrage of bad animal puns will be lost on the youngest listeners. Teague's acrylic illustrations are as beautiful as ever, but the egret's nonstop blather verges on bullying. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A bit of a miss for an accomplished author/illustrator. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
