Meerkat's Safari

by Claudia Graziano

      There's something inherently adorable about meerkats. Maybe it's their bright-eyed, bushy-tailed demeanor. Or perhaps the way a pack of them will stand up straight to look across the African plains. Whatever the reason may be, author Claudiea Graziano and illustrator Michelle Barbera have recognized the meerkat's charms and utilized them to the utmost degree in this adorable new picture book. In, "Meerkat's Safari", a khaki clad meerkat takes us on a journey of discovery. Through a series of rhyming questions and answers, we learn the prime characteristics of many African animals. First, the meerkat asks us a question, accompanied by a set of footprints. The next page reveals what the animal is and offers some poetic, factual information. Generally, this technique works well. There is the occasional forced rhyme, admittedly (as when the author rhymes tail with scales). Illustrator Michelle Barbera uses a lovely Photoshop airbrush technique that gives the entire picture book a professional edge. She also adds clever little details kids will enjoy finding (as with a zebra munching from a box of Hay and Grass that mentions in tiny type, "Enlarged to show texture"). The result is a lovely meeting of light-hearted, informative text with pleasant pictures. Children will enjoy figuring out the answers to each and every puzzle. Adults will love the presentation. A classy piece of work.