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John Muir once said, "Whenever we try to isolate anything in the universe, we find that it's hitched up to everything else." Indeed. Storyteller and artist Elisa Kleven illustrates this quotation (included in the front matter) with no-less-than-fabulous collages in the exuberant picture book The Dancing Deer and the Foolish Hunter. The story begins when a coonskin-capped hunter--a rather... More

John Muir once said, "Whenever we try to isolate anything in the universe, we find that it's hitched up to everything else." Indeed. Storyteller and artist Elisa Kleven illustrates this quotation (included in the front matter) with no-less-than-fabulous collages in the exuberant picture book The Dancing Deer and the Foolish Hunter. The story begins when a coonskin-capped hunter--a rather crass, grumpy fellow--spies a deer joyfully dancing in the forest. It's not the reaction we'd expect from a hunter carrying a gun, but he instantly envisions a future for the deer in the circus... and a big pile of cash for himself. And, with a "lightning-swift swirl of his lasso, the hunter caught the deer."

Of course, once ensnared in the hunter's home, the deer "crouched miserably in the corner" because, as she tells him, she needs the sweet singing of birds in order to dance. He goes to the forest to capture birds for her, but of course they won't sing without the "pine trees whistling along with them." ("'Trees, peas,'" scoffed the hunter. 'I'll whistle for them myself!'") You get the idea. Before long the hunter's abode is packed with woodland creatures, and still the deer won't dance. "'Hunter! Stop your foolishness!' the deer cried. 'Just put me back in the deep green forest, along with everything else, and I'll dance by myself!'"

In a funny plot twist, the deer offers the hunter dancing lessons, so he can perform in the circus himself. Children will be drawn right into this story (no doubt feeling protective of the poor dancing deer in the hands of the greedy hunter), and will cheer the satisfying ending where the hunter dances happily ever after and the forest creatures are left in peace. The vibrant collages are wonderfully expressive and accessible, providing countless whimsical details for hours of close inspection. Highly recommended! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

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