The Honey Hunters

This cumulative African folktale offers one explanation for why certain animals in the wild don't get along. Many years ago, so the story goes, all creatures lived in harmony--until the day that they decided to follow a young honey guide along the trail to sweet, tasty treasure. As the hungry herd begins to share the honeycombs, appetites get carried away. Violence and chaos ensue, suggesting the hunter-predator relationships--antelope vs. leopard, zebra vs. lion--that exist today. Martin's text combines elements of both folk tale and myth with an agreeable just-so tone. The use of repetition--the honey guide's call, the names of the growing caravan of animals--helps to heighten the drama while it adheres to a familiar literary style. Verdant watercolors alternate cool, lush jungle scenes with brighter depictions of sun-baked African landscapes; indigenous flora and fauna crowd the carefully detailed backgrounds. An additional visual treat are the pastel, folk art-inspired borders on each page, designed and painted by Helen Read. Ages 4-up. (Oct.)