The Way Home

Savi is a baby elephant with a mind of her own. At the beach, she stays in the water even though her mother ``stamped her feet and trumpeted'' that it is time to go home. And when mother finally leaves without her, Savi doesn't mind in the least: not until she is cold and hungry does she head homeward. The delinquent pachyderm spots a banana in the sand, and then another--a trail of bananas that leads Savi right to her mother. When Savi covets one last banana, Mother explains, ``That banana is the moon. It will help us to see our way home.'' Young readers will readily identify with this engaging protagonist: her independence is admirable, and her reunion with her mother comforting. What makes the book truly memorable, however, are its painstakingly detailed fabric relief illustrations. In her debut picture book, Mavor has created a series of captivating cloth masterpieces. The colors are bold, the use of patterns is ingenious and the different textures lend a compelling three-dimensional effect. This deceptively simple story is loaded with child appeal. Ages 3-6. (Apr.)