How The Rhinoceros Got His Skin

Shoo Rayner is the author and illustrator of many well-loved books, including THE GINGER NINJA and RICKY ROCKET series.

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- When smooth-skinned rhinoceros steals a cake from the Parsee ("from whose hat the rays of the sun were reflected in more-than-oriental splendour") he gets his just desserts--that is, cake crumbs deposited inside his skin. The itch causes him to rub and rub himself against a tree, until he becomes as wrinkled as we know him today. This "Just So" story is well suited to picture-book format, being short and spritely. This is a satisfying volume, hand-sized and full of simple, funny illustrations. The pages glow with sun, adding a sense of atmosphere. Langley's choice of desert-baked and primary colors contribute to a bright, wide-open look, although each full-page illustration is contained by a neat, colorful border. The fun of the rhinoceros' tale, combined with thoughtful design and effective illustration, make this a pleasurable addition to a growing library of picture book "Just So" stories. --Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, Mass.
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