Description: "Wally Mammoth lives in the Ice Age, where his huge heart warms even the coldest of days. And it has to be cold to have a sled race! Wally and his friends Otto the great auk and Wolf the (you guessed it!) gray wolf are all hot cocoa'd up and ready to compete. Otto and Wolf both really want to win, but sweet Wally is happy as long as everyone has fun. Naturally, the competition goes downhill quickly. If the three friends careen toward the finish line in a giant snowball, how will they determine first, second, and third place? It doesn't matter--there will be cupcakes for everyone regardless."--Provided by publisher.
Brief description:
Corey R. Tabor is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor-winning Mel Fell, three-time Geisel Award winner for Fox Has a Problem, Fox at Night, and Fox the Tiger, and Geisel Honor recipient for Fox versus Fox. His other acclaimed titles include the young graphic novel chapter books Sir Ladybug, Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee, and Sir Ladybug and the Bookworms; the picture books Bear for a Day, Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World), Ursula Upside Down, Simon and the Better Bone, Snail Crossing, Fox and the Bike Ride, and Fox and the Jumping Contest; and the I Can Reads Fox versus Winter, Fox Is Late, and Fox Plays Ball. Corey R. Tabor lives in Tacoma, Washington, with his wife and son and spends his time making pictures and stories.
Review Quotes:
"Loose, sketchlike digital illustrations with icy-hued fill-ins create a playful, unintimidating atmosphere that welcomes readers into the escalating slapstick action, while speech bubbles remain accessible without sacrificing a single comic beat. Everyone wins in the end--including readers, who will enjoy the light balance of funny friendship story and exhilarating sled ride, plus a promise of further adventures." - Publishers Weekly
"Perfect for emergent readers. In classic Tabor fashion, something goes hilariously wrong; this time, the characters get swallowed by a giant, ever-growing snowball. The humor is spot-on for young readers, and the pacing keeps the story moving quickly while still being easy to follow. Watercolor illustrations are bright and playful, and they tell at least half the story--especially since some pages have no words at all. . . . With strong visual support, great humor, and lovable characters, this proves to be another standout early reader." - Booklist
"This is a whimsical, silly story of anthropomorphic animal friendship. . . . Bright, colorful pictures depict an ice age background, and the characters speak in speech bubbles with a comic-style text font. Tabor adeptly introduces the subject of friends who can still cheer each other on, even though they may be competing. . . . A wonderful addition to children's library collections." - School Library Journal
"It's race day for a trio of Ice Age sledders, and while competition between Wolf and Otto the great auk heats up an otherwise-frigid morning, Wally Mammoth is just happy to have been invited. . . . Tabor's text is accessible for new readers--deftly balancing narrative tension with requisite simplicity--and Wally proves a root-for-able foil to the other two competitive compatriots. Webb's art appealingly complements the silliness of the trio's plight, rendering characters with a delightful cartoonish expressiveness. Frothy fun." - Kirkus Reviews