Kakalambalala: An African Tale

Brought together by a drought, the starving animals of the African plains take shelter under a shadetree which, according to legend, will rain down fruit if it is called by name. But only the mountain spirit knows this powerful word. Three animals--the rabbit, the buffalo and the lion--are sent to the mountains to learn it. After each of these creatures fails at the task, the deliberate tortoise ventures forth and, by dint of his patience, succeeds. The stuffed-toy stiffness and anthropomorphic facial expressions of Morgensen's animal figures diminish rather than enhance her tale. Likewise, a bland palette mutes the African landscape. Ages 3-8. (Oct.)