Big Squirrel and the Little Rhinoceros

From Publishers Weekly
A switch in sizes teaches inconsiderate large animals and whiny small ones to live together in harmony. "De Beer's creatures have enormously expressive eyes that winsomely portray the dismay of their predicaments," said PW. Ages 5-8. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- This Swiss import uses the theme of ``walk a mile in my shoes'' to teach humility. In the ``Land of a Thousand Shadows,'' a rhinoceros, a lion, and a crocodile lord their strength over smaller creatures. A squirrel topples out of a tree the rhino has whammed into; a mouse is frightened by the lion's roar; a frog loses its chance to catch a fly because of the crocodile's teeth gnashing. The three dream of becoming larger to get even with their foes; at dawn, the six main animals have magically exchanged sizes. The tiny rhino, lion, and crocodile are duly humbled, but real surprises await the now-larger creatures. By nightfall, all have agreed that a return to their original sizes and a new policy of courteous behavior make more sense. In this oversized book, each spread includes a full-page, full-color painting, plus smaller scenes. The watercolors and pen-and-ink media used by Dutch artist de Beer produce realistic scenes with expressive, sometimes whimsical, characters. A first purchase this is not, but it does succeed as a gentle tale with a message. --Jacqueline Elsner, Athens Regional Library, GACopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
Another heavy-handed European fable: tired of injuries carelessly inflicted by the larger animals, three small protesters wish for, and get, a size reversal. It doesn't work: the giant squirrel breaks branches and can't find enough acorns, the mouse doesn't fit in her burrow; meanwhile, the lion is reduced to eating grass, and the crocodile is afraid the fish will eat him. Agreeing to be kinder, all revert to their former sizes and ``have lived in peace and friendship ever since.'' A wistful thought--accompanied by de Beer's deftly drawn, amusing illustrations. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German


Card catalog description
A squirrel, a mouse, and a frog want to be bigger than their enemies so that they can get even with them but each of the animals soon finds that changing sizes does not make life easier.


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A switch in sizes teaches inconsiderate large animals and whiny small ones to live together in harmony. "De Beer's creatures have enormously expressive eyes that winsomely portray the dismay of their predicaments," said PW. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)


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