The outside

A group of happy-go-lucky prairie dogs loves to play outside--all except Earl, who worries about leaving the burrow. When the others head up to view the sunrise, painted by Marino (We Will Live in This Forest Again) as a scrap of color-splashed sky seen through the tunnel's narrow opening, Earl warns them: "Careful! Coyotes come out at dawn.... Smells like rain." As the carefree prairie dogs play tag, readers can see that Earl's not wrong; a coyote lurks nearby, and thunderclouds quickly gather. When the rain comes and the tunnel floods, the group finds that Earl has made provisions for danger they hadn't even thought about. When Earl's physical need for warmth outweighs his heightened awareness of threat, the group convinces Earl to try a new tack--and they do it with maximum care. Speech balloon text kicks up the pacing throughout, while cross-sections of the burrow system reveal both the animals' underground lives and how Earl perceives the outdoors from below--as small, constricted areas of light in the midst of velvety blackness. It all adds dimension to this sweet-tempered outing that illuminates a supportive system leading to individual change. More about prairie dogs concludes. Ages 4--8. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary. (June)

A colony of prairie dogs is caught between security and risk-taking. Earl is afraid to leave the burrow. He keeps digging, while his five buddies entreat him to join them in the fresh air. As Earl warns against outside dangers--coyotes, an impending storm--they are oblivious to shadowy creatures lurking and the dark clouds gathering…until the pelting rain sends them scurrying. The sound of Earl's voice guides the rodents home, and although water has filled the entrance, they take refuge in Earl's freshly created "flood room." Marino's gouache and ink compositions capture the beauty of a sunrise and the drama of the storm. Varied perspectives and the dynamic use of black to depict underground scenes add dimension and interest. A small, circular opening at the top of the burrow offers a view of the sky and makes for a creative visual effect as the prairie dogs strike intriguing poses while gazing down at Earl. Presented in speech bubbles, the dialogue reflects the animals' differing personalities, as well as their affection and appreciation for one another. After Earl's housemates create a circle of safety for him as he emerges to dry out, he declares, "I'm not afraid of the outside anymore…because I feel loved on the inside." A humorous epilogue shows him awestruck by the stars while his roommates urge him inside. Children will be charmed by the furry friendships and fascinated by the visual details. (burrow diagram, more information about prairie dogs) (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.