Gnu and Shrew

When laid-back Gnu tells motivated Shrew about a diamond-filled cave on the other side of a crocodile-infested river, Shrew immediately works on a plan to reach it. Gnu, on the other hand, prefers daydreaming to doing; in between rests, and dismissive of Shrew’s efforts (“A shrew is too small to dig a big tunnel”), he boasts of his wealthy future, dropping kernels of inspiration that Shrew, rather shrewdly, executes. Still, this is not the usual story of industry triumphing over sloth. As Sandu’s (Lana Lynn Howls at the Moon) digitally colored pencil vignettes vividly portray the plan taking shape, readers will realize that Shrew needs Gnu’s fantasies, from the idea to build a boat to all the details that ensure the craft is shipshape, and that Gnu is content with his lot. Though Shrew ends up with the gems and the good life—he “built a home across the sea and started a boat building business... and a family,” writes Schnitzlein (Trick or Treat on Monster Street)—he is nothing but devoted to his friend, inviting boastful Gnu to join him at every turn. The moral is mixed, but it’s refreshing to see a fable in which a generous spirit mitigates the usual “gotcha” ending. Ages 4–8. [em](Oct.) [/em]