Mama Went Walking

In Berry's first book for children, little Sarah's fertile imagination sends her Mama on adventures involving all sorts of dangers. Luckily, Sarah is never far behind, on hand to rescue Mama. She manages to save her mother from lions in the Jaba-Jaba Jungle, from a flash flood in the Ropacactus Canyon, from snakes in the Rattlesnake River and from sleeping bears who are snoring too loudly in the Blackenbatty Caves. But when Mama goes walking in the Gonagetcha Forest and eyes appear in the darkness, Sarah decides that this creepy place is too scary, even for her. So Mama gives her a hug and the forest disappears. Berry's soothing, rhythmic text offers a fresh and satisfying twist on the parent-comforting-frightened-child theme. Youngsters will enjoy watching Brusca's inventive pictures bring Mama's fanciful escapades--in locales with deliciously droll names--to life. Ages 4-8. (May)