panda_incognito's review against another edition
2.0
The illustrations are cute, but this is random and choppy, and it doesn't have a satisfying take-away message to justify its incompleteness as a story.
leslie_d's review against another edition
2.0
The story starts off strong, three friends--a hippo, worm, and lightbulb--share a mutual admiration for rhinos and decide to form a secret society. They build a clubhouse, wear paper horns, and hold meetings. There are nice touches of humor, the weight of a paper horn for the worm, the fact that the horn is paper on a hot lightbulb.
During what can be assumed to be one of their first meetings, they open the door to an insistent knock. Before them stands an actual rhinoceros, delivering the plants for the garden the worm prepared for their clubhouse. This rhino is not like the one portrayed in films--not at all. After that awkward realization/exchange, they agree to invite her in for sandwiches (and a foot bath).
Cue palpable shift.
The rhino thinks their sandwiches are so good they should open a sandwich shop. So now the trio + one rhino, plan and build and sandwich shop which they open the next week. "And everyone came"--as if we'd seen "everyone" before... In most narratives that use "and everyone came," those one's had been earlier identified in some way, and most of the tension in the story is whether they would come or not.
The exclusiveness of "secret" is implied, but it seems the trio had only thought to not include anyone because wearing paper horns might earn them ridicule. And their interest in being more like a rhino (instead of sticking to their own brilliant attributes as demonstrated) does seem to be ridiculous. Also media portrayals are limiting. The rhino shows up to debunk myths and encourage them to pursue a healthier, inclusive, community building option. Their society and world is expanded, ending with a garden scene of a collection of animals around a table enjoying food.
That last paragraph you just read: I worked for that. That is what a reader will have to contribute to the story, which I believe could have done had the text been given a bit more work/editing. Did they opt for less text (which seems the popular route)?
The illustrations: on point. Charming and interesting. I like the dimensional aspect and what that contributes to the (potential) narrative. It's worth flipping turning the pages of the book, just to admire the sets.
During what can be assumed to be one of their first meetings, they open the door to an insistent knock. Before them stands an actual rhinoceros, delivering the plants for the garden the worm prepared for their clubhouse. This rhino is not like the one portrayed in films--not at all. After that awkward realization/exchange, they agree to invite her in for sandwiches (and a foot bath).
Cue palpable shift.
The rhino thinks their sandwiches are so good they should open a sandwich shop. So now the trio + one rhino, plan and build and sandwich shop which they open the next week. "And everyone came"--as if we'd seen "everyone" before... In most narratives that use "and everyone came," those one's had been earlier identified in some way, and most of the tension in the story is whether they would come or not.
The exclusiveness of "secret" is implied, but it seems the trio had only thought to not include anyone because wearing paper horns might earn them ridicule. And their interest in being more like a rhino (instead of sticking to their own brilliant attributes as demonstrated) does seem to be ridiculous. Also media portrayals are limiting. The rhino shows up to debunk myths and encourage them to pursue a healthier, inclusive, community building option. Their society and world is expanded, ending with a garden scene of a collection of animals around a table enjoying food.
That last paragraph you just read: I worked for that. That is what a reader will have to contribute to the story, which I believe could have done had the text been given a bit more work/editing. Did they opt for less text (which seems the popular route)?
The illustrations: on point. Charming and interesting. I like the dimensional aspect and what that contributes to the (potential) narrative. It's worth flipping turning the pages of the book, just to admire the sets.
antlersantlers's review against another edition
3.0
I mean, fine I guess? If it had any other illustrations, this would be a two star book; but Samantha Cotterill's cut paper scenes are incredible and truly elevate the content. I want to live inside them!!
sarahwolfe's review against another edition
1.0
A genderless character with they/them pronouns and embracing some stereotypes over other stereotypes.
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