Up Mountain One Time

Fans of Kipling's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi will be surprised to learn that mongooses also live in the Caribbean. This is the story of Viggo, a young mongoose who lives with his mother in the churchyard of a shantytown. Viggo's mother doesn't come home one night after her daily quest for food, and he knows she is gone for good. So he decides to set off for the bush, where his mother told him all the brave and wild mongooses live. Viggo's journey is cut short when he finds easy food at the town's marketplace. Orville, a dog he befriends, takes him to the fireside of a mysterious woman, who inspires Viggo to continue his quest. Following the road higher into the mountains, Viggo meets complacent domesticated animals but sees how they've all had to compromise their true natures to live with man. At journey's end, a wise old ram directs Viggo to his own kind. This is a parable that is charming without being sugarcoated. The West Indian vernacular adds sparkle to the sober message that it's important to be true to oneself and one's goals. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-11. (August)