This story starts on the cover with the glorious, goldencountenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate thetitle: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflictedexpression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn thebook over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space,glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creaturesamong the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spreadcontributes something new in this nearly wordless narrative,including the title opening, on which the watchful rodent pauses,resting in one of the large footprints that marches across thegutter. In some scenes, Pinkney's luminous art, rendered inwatercolor and colored pencil, suggests a natural harmony, as whenthe cool blues of the sky are mirrored in the rocks and acaciatree. In other compositions, a cream-colored background focusesattention on the exquisitely detailed and nuanced forms of the twomain characters. Varied perspectives and the judicious use ofpanels create interest and indicate time. Sounds are used sparinglyand purposefully—an owl's hoot to hint at offstage danger or ananguished roar to alert the mouse of the lion's entrapment.Contrast this version with Pinkney's traditional treatment of thesame story (complete with moral) in Aesop's Fables (North-South,2000). The ambiguity that results from the lack of words in thisversion allows for a slower, subtle, and ultimately more satisfyingread. Moments of humor and affection complement the drama. Aclassic tale from a consummate artist.
以下为对购买帮助不大的评价