LITTLE TUMBO

Tumbo, the youngest of his elephant family, practices trumpeting daily, but can only manage a "Squeeeak!" One day he is trapped by two hunters, who carry him across a river and up a mountain, planning to sell him to the highest bidder. The wise boatman who ferries the hunters discovers the illegal cargo and later sends his grandson to rescue Tumbo while the hunters sleep; the grandfather takes him back across the river. Tumbo almost reaches home when the hunters recapture him. "No one can hear your baby squeaks," they scoff. Terrified, the struggling elephant tries one last time, and "Loud and clear he trumpeted!" A stampede of elephants sends the hunters running for their lives. In a retro style that pays homage to Ludwig Bemelmans and H.A. Rey, Salerno (The Dirty Little Boy ) creates order on action-filled pages by outlining characters and minimal set pieces (tree, raft, cage) in easy, fluid strokes against backgrounds of solid hue (sage green, banana yellow, ocean blue). He injects a fresh note as he varies the compositions. On one spread, for example, a peanut-shaped bubble contains a full-color illustration of Tumbo's capture; two pen-and-ink drawings show him caught and sobbing; then, unframed and in full color, the hunters carry him onto the raft. Filled with intrigue, bravery and triumph, this smartly served tale of adventure will likely engage young book lovers. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)