School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Sometimes friends appear in the most unexpected places. Such is the example of the cattle egret and the rhinoceros. While the egret does all the talking in this book set in Africa, the rhino has plenty of nonverbal communication. The egret explains to the rhino what a symbiotic relationship is and why each is important to the other. The egret, punning along the way, explains their strengths and weaknesses and how symbiosis works. In a fun and educational text, the egret explains to the rhino what friends do for each other, like helping; respecting boundaries; compromising; allowing alone time; and being loyal, honest, and appreciative of the other, in addition to being kind. Teague isn't interested in teaching textbook symbiosis; when the egret is about to be lost to some quicksand, the rhino engages in a rescue that may or may not be cued from nature. But this will grab interest, as will the background scenes that contain images of African animals in their natural setting. Teachers and parents alike will find this book enjoyable to read many times as chatty egret comes off as slightly overbearing, pushing the limits of the friendship to the point that it becomes quite entertaining. VERDICT Pick this book as a wonderful read-aloud for units on wild animals, symbiotic relationships, or just a comic romp between two unlikely friends.--Tracy Cronce
Publisher's Weekly Review
Even a classic symbiotic relationship can get off to a rocky start, Teague (King Kong's Cousin) shows in this verbally and visually rich comedy. The impassive Rhino--the book's acrylic spreads home in on its sculptural bulk--seems perfectly content alone. An incessantly chatty egret is determined to get the relationship wheels turning, though, and with the sun-drenched, blue skies of the savanna forming a single-plane backdrop, the bird tries to ingratiate itself, unctuously prattling about the principles of friendship and even trotting out dad jokes ("You will have no egrets about that. Ha-ha"). When the rhino momentarily drops its stolid demeanor, bucking the egret off its horn, the bird presses on: "Let that be a lesson to both of us--a lesson about respecting personal boundaries!" But even though its unrelenting delivery receives little response, the egret is right about what it takes to be a good a friend--respect, compromise, communication, and kindness ("And loyalty and honesty and appreciation, of course")--and when the bird gets trapped in quicksand, the rhino exhibits all these qualities in its own inimitable way. Birds of a feather may flock together, but successful friendships involve finding someone whose heart is in the right place. Ages 4--8. (June)
