There's a rumbling in the rain forest--grr grr grr--and Toucan panics. Is that a lion? No way, Capybara insists, "we're in South America!" But then: GRR GRR GRR! A bushy tail peeks out of the foliage, and suddenly the threat seems like a real possibility. Other animals scoff, too, but quickly join the anxious troop when confronted with mounting evidence of a lion in their forest. Not to worry: the "lion" reveals itself to be something slightly less scary and much more Amazon--appropriate, and the relieved animals are delighted to meet a new friend and not a ferocious foe. The story is fast-paced and funny, humorously focusing on the (correct) assessment that lions simply don't roam South America. Pleasing alliteration ("growly growls," "terrifying tails") and repeating phrases make for a lively read-aloud. Accompanying illustrations are cartoonish and colorful, capturing an impressive range of emotions. Back matter introduces the range of unusual forest critters in more detail, along with a call for conservation. A merry mystery for a boisterous bedtime read.

The suspense of (possibly) meeting a lion turns into the pleasure of an introduction to several uniquely South American creatures. What is a lion doing in South America? A small, disparate group of animals "deep in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil" wind one another up, Chicken Little--style, over the possibility that there is a lion in the forest. Toucan is first, hearing "a deep, growly growl." Capybara, at first sanguine about the lack of lions in South America, gets into the act, spotting a "terrifying tail." Coati, confident that "lions live in savannas, and this is a tropical forest," nevertheless spots something that could be the lion's mane. Jaguar, however, patiently explains that it would be "highly unusual," as the family of big cats follows rules. Finally, the newcomer is revealed, and all the creatures are prepared to contradict its claim to be a lion. But the golden lion tamarin monkey (because this is, after all, the Brazilian forest) gets the last word. Silly, light, and lighthearted, this is nevertheless a fine mix of story and fact, an amusing combination of anticipation and information with a cartoonlike, funny cast of characters. Fact-filled, young reader--friendly paragraphs on each of the characters (including the tanager, who appears on nearly every page in a nonspeaking role) in the backmatter expand the story for the inquisitive. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Entertaining and edifying. (Informational picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--Trouble is brewing and animals are getting anxious "deep in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil" as one by one the creatures begin to fear that there is a lion in the forest! Despite the fact that they all know there are no lions in South America, when they hear the roaring, see the golden fur, and glimpse the long tail, they are sure the evidence proves that they are seeing a lion. Featuring animals of the rainforest (capybaras, toucans, and coati to name a few) the lesson in the dangers of jumping to conclusions is delivered with good humor and a very appealing cast of animal characters. Back matter adds further details to all the animals, especially the endangered golden lion tamarin. Pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the details of the animals and all of the fun of the building hysteria. VERDICT Fun and informational at the same time, this has a solid message for the intended audience: Take the time to gather all the evidence before leaping to conclusions. This title would be welcome in most libraries for the diversity of animals and setting that it features.--John Scott, Baltimore Cty. P. S.