Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan

Twenty years after Gooseberry Park, Rylant and Howard return with a companion book, and it's well worth the wait. While an ice storm figured prominently in the previous book, a drought is now causing trouble for Stumpy the squirrel, Murray the bat, and other animals in and around the park. Rylant swiftly recaps the events of the earlier book before moving on to the animals' efforts to secure needed water, using a plan devised by genius crow Herman (it involves 200 owls and a great many drinking straws). Howard's b&w illustrations build on the story's ample humor (as when he shows a blissed-out Murray enjoying a Reiki session from Gwendolyn the hermit crab) while Rylant unspools a quietly magical tale of cooperation and kindness, with a gentle environmental undercurrent. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Apr.)

Gr 3-5--Rain matters...especially when there is none. Gooseberry Park is suffering an unusual drought. In Gooseberry Park (Harcourt, 1995), readers met Stumpy, the caring mother squirrel; Murray, the animated black bat; Gwendolyn, the wise hermit crab; and Kona, the brave Chocolate Lab. In this clever sequel, the odd menagerie fears the effects of the drought on their beloved park and come up with a plan to get every creature, from the youngest to the oldest, life-saving water. They enlist the help of the park's assorted residents. While their scheme is utterly outrageous, (it's amazing what a raccoon, 200 owls, and 20 packs of chewing gum can do, ) it conveys the idea that no matter the obstacles, a solution can be found by those willing to overcome differences and work together., This contemporary tale is a surefire winner. Rylant's inspired writing gives readers a humane understanding of drought and its consequences. The importance of family and friendship is reinforced as every creature rises to the occasion. The characters are wonderfully defined. The cartoonish black-and-white drawings add to the fun. Vocabulary is sophisticated. VERDICT Rylant does it again with this wonderful tale of nature, friendship, and family; a must-have.--Sada Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library