Follow That Car

February 1, 2020
Mouse needs to catch Gorilla! Can readers help to get him through the maze of streets in time? Gorilla drives fast through the busy marketplaces, construction sites, farmland, mountains, and more, but Mouse and his motorcycle are persistent. Bright, busy, Richard Scarry-like compositions create mazes of roads, cars, and critters that lead from page to page as readers are given clues--abetted by strategically placed arrows--as to how Mouse can catch up to Gorilla. Multiple members of a cartoon menagerie reappear throughout but not on every page, making for a fun scavenger hunt as big-eared Mouse chases the fedora-clad Gorilla, whose light beige face, broad chin, and lack of neck are evocative of characters from Family Guy and American Dad. The white arrows are sometimes necessary, as in a very complicated market scene, but at other times they don't make much sense. In one river scene, for instance, they plot the path on planks of wood laid between boats; here the path is obvious, but readers may be more concerned at the notion of motoring over boaters than delighted. Just why is Mouse in pursuit of Gorilla? That's benign, but a visual subplot involving a different gorilla seen lurking with a bag of cash on many spreads before being cuffed by turtle cops disappointingly plays into negative stereotypes surrounding black people, apes, and criminality. There are roadblocks aplenty, but this still could please hardcore seek-and-find fans. (Picture book. 5-8)

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April 24, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-In this fun, interactive story, Mouse is in a car chase and needs help catching up with Gorilla. He asks the reader to help out by tracing a path through his bustling town using conveniently placed arrows on the ground as aids to navigate the busy roads and reach the next page. Lomp's illustrations are full of colorful details and reminiscent of Richard Scarry's work. Children will pour over every page and detail, as no two cars or characters are the same. There's a lot happening on each page, but the simple concept makes this book perfect for those not ready for a more complex challenge like I Spy. Eagle-eyed viewers might notice secondary searches, like the mysterious criminal hiding on every page and a bunny trying to move a giant carrot. VERDICT This appealing adventure is recommended for purchase.-Peter Blenski, Hartland Public Library, WI

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