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From Publishers Weekly
Pollyanna hasn't a thing on Jubal as the Woods' (The Napping House)
passable story opens, "Once upon a bright and sunny day." This chipper
bullfrog, "so happy his feet barely touched the ground," has a picnic to
share. But his overworked neighbor, Gerdy Toad, is too busy with her
brood of "toadlets," and Dalbert Lizard, a sad, washed-up sea captain,
is not in the mood. When a wizard appears to grant Jubal a wish, the
hero hopes for happiness for his pals. Alas, not only do they seem more
miserable than ever, but black clouds, thunder and lightning darken
Jubal's sunny dayAand his spirits. Luckily the storm precedes Jubal's
fulfilled wish and a predictable, happy-ever-after conclusion. The wordy
text grows flowery ("A splendid feeling of wonder moved up from his toes
to the tip of his nose") and electric, computer-enhanced hues illuminate
rather gaudy illustrations, which include several off-putting images of
the bug-eyed amphibian and reptilian characters. Ages 3-up. (Oct.)
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