I do enjoy just about everything by Bob Graham. ?áI'm not sure I'm as crazy about his animals as I am about his people, though. ?áWell, at least they're not farm animals. ?ábut they do wear clothes, and in one story the young crocodile is getting fitted for a pair of jeans... he's gone pantless all summer, and now he needs something that has an opening that fits his tail. ?áThat's just weird - no concerns about genitalia, or elimination, but still needs pants for school? ?áAnd every family is of itself, that is to say, crocodiles pair up and make baby crocodiles, giraffes ditto, etc. ?áBut the young crocodile has a crush on Wendy Warthog? ?áI guess crushes are ok, but we still have to marry within our own religion/ race/ culture?

Whatever. ?áI'm sure I'm reading it too seriously. ?áJust get silly and have fun with it.

I'm also intrigued by the book design. ?áIt's the size of a picture-book, but has the short stories, with focus on friendships, that one generally sees in Leveled Readers. ?áThe reading level is probably about 1.5? ?áNot as easy as Frog and Toad, but decipherable, esp. w/ picture cues, for beginning independent readers. ?áI definitely recommend it to anyone not bothered by illogicalities, whether they prefer to read independently or together, age 4 up. ( )

The waterhole in summer is the perfect place to hang out with your friends and family: playing football, doing springboard stunts, having a party...Mess about with Morris, his best friend, Billy, and a crowd of other colourful animal characters down at the waterhole in these five delightful tales by award-winning author and illustrator Bob Graham.