Twelve Snails to One Lizard: A Tale of Mischief and Measurement

Bubba Bullfrog and Milo Beaver are two calculating critters--calculating length, that is--in this quirky paper-over-board concept book. It's shades of the grasshopper and the ant as Bubba lounges while Milo busies himself assembling logs to mend a broken dam. Only when Bubba realizes that a properly constructed dam means more bugs for him to eat does he offer Milo some advice. Bubba first suggests using snails, then iguana lizards and finally one long snake to measure the length of the logs for the dam. The creatures clearly illustrate the concepts of inches, feet and yards, respectively, but are hilariously ill-suited to the job at hand. Bubba's trusty yardstick saves the dam--and saves Milo from complete frustration. First-time author Hightower's animal protagonists crackle with distinct personalities, helping and hindering, pushing and pulling each other to a perfect balance. Novak's (Mouse TV) winsome earth-toned acrylics once again amuse with lizards who juggle and hula, a beaver wearing a tool belt and a pair of picnicking mice who cavort on several spreads. He spices up the story's pacing with several pages of small but very funny small log-framed panels. A final note provides some nifty measurement facts about animals mentioned in the story. Ages 4-7. (Apr.)