PreS-Gr 2--Nature is music to humans and is celebrated in this lyrical picture book about Africa's sounds and the instruments used to re-create them. Hartmann produces harmony and rhythm relying on rhyming couplets to introduce native flora and fauna. The prevalence of onomatopoeia helps the verse "snap," "crackle," and "huummmm," making this an attractive selection for storytime. Rankin's watercolor illustrations envelop each page gently, seamlessly intertwining with and reinforcing the text. On one spread, "We are the herds/that gallop and run/We 'rumble' and 'boo-oom' in the African drum." On the left, brown hands thrum on a drum, while galloping hooves of bright and varying hues mimic the same pattern of human arms and sound. One can hear the "rumble" and "boo-oom" replicated in the drummer's beat. Like Lloyd Moss's Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, this is a great examination of onomatopoeia and instrumentation, but pair it with Eric Carle's I See a Song for a true sensory experience.

The only minor drawback is a generalization of Africa inherent in such works. However, it's worth noting both contributors are native to the continent. VERDICT A beautiful addition to any library serving young children.--Rachel Zuffa, Racine Public Library, WI.