The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees
| The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Jo Heffer
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| Summary: Life is always fun in the jungle especially when all of the animals decide to hold a race. However, it would seem though that some of the animals have a natural advantage over others when it comes to competing and everyone agrees that Cub is far too little to race against the fitter stronger animals. Nevertheless, this plucky little creature is determined to have a go and who knows – maybe being little can have its advantages. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: June 2012 |
| Publisher: Orchard | |
| ISBN: 9781408311752 | |
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Here come the animals one by one,
all getting ready for the Jungle Run.
This is how we meet all the animals at the start of this fabulous book, all limbering up on the bank of the river preparing for their big race. There's Parrot who is the starter for the race as well as a whole menagerie of other animals such as Elephant, Hippo, Snake and Cub. Most of the animals laugh at the prospect of the little Cub taking part telling him that he is too small to race. Undeterred though, he does decide to take part and soon the race is under way. And what a race it is with a big vine net to scramble under, a creeper rope to swing across and a huge water slide at the very end. Unsurprisingly, some of these obstacles prove to be quite hazardous for some of the larger animals and all sorts of mayhem ensues. Not for all the creatures though as there's one little creature who negotiates everything perfectly but does he end up winning the race? You'll have to read this lovely book to find out.
This really is a fabulous story and very typical of the other books written and illustrated by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees. The entire story is written in rhyming couplets making it lively and fun – just right for a story about an energetic race. There's also lots of great description particularly where the animals' different antics are concerned:
They all get snaggled and tangled and caught.
The net's much trickier than they thought!
The use of larger and bolder font in places adds to the enjoyment and there are moments of pure suspense when you have to turn to the next page in order to read the rest of the sentence and to find out what happens next in the race.
The illustrations are all very bright and colourful with lots going on in each page. We love the bemused looks on most of the animals' faces throughout the story and the pictures demonstrate perfectly the mixed fortunes at different points in the race. My daughter also loves the fact that at the front of the book, before the story even starts, there is a colourful map that shows the route that the run is going to take. The same map appears at the end of the book and this is great for retracing the race and retelling the story.
This is a very entertaining story and reminded both my daughter and me of the fable of 'The Hare and the Tortoise'. Like that well known tale, 'The Jungle Run' is also a good example of a story that encourages one to have a go no matter what, and shows that good things can happen through hard work and perseverance.
Why not also take a look at Farmer Joe and the Music Show or Jolly Olly Octopus, both by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees at Amazon.com.
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