ANNOTATION

While dancing around, Lizard accidentally steps on Skunk's toes and then promises to take care of lazy Skunk until his foot is healed.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Skunk is mischievous. Skunk is selfish. Skunk is bossy. Skunk is ... a skunk. So when Lizard stomps on Skunk's toes (purely by accident) you can be sure that Skunk won't forget it.

As it turns out, however, the only thing bigger than Skunk's silly grudge is Lizard's generous heart. For Lizard is a friend (a true friend), and as Skunk soon discovers, friends believe in making things right, no matter what it takes ...

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

George Shannon's intrepid Lizard, who last defended his beloved rock in Lizard's Home, must use his wits against another unwelcome squatter in Lizard's Guest, illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. This time Skunk, whom Lizard inadvertently injured while doing his boisterous dance, convalesces on Lizard's rock and feigns prolonged pain. Of course Lizard eventually outsmarts him and even turns the sulky, selfish houseguest into a swaying, singing Skunk in this sprightly tale, enhanced by bright, fluid watercolors. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

During a wild, exuberant dance, Lizard accidentally stomps on Skunk's foot. Bossy Skunk, quick to take advantage of the situation and Lizard's gentle disposition, plays on Lizard's sympathy. Lizard promises to care for Skunk until he is well, and the new guest settles in to make demands on the amiable Lizard. But Lizard has a plan of his own and cleverly devises a scheme to outwit Skunk. All ends happily with a party to celebrate Lizard's return to health. When last the seen, the pair are joyfully dancing hand-in-hand down the road. The signature style of Aruego and Dewey is at its playful best. Pages are awash in vibrant color and the pictures are as zippy as Lizard's dance. The facial expressions of the two, from Skunk's cantankerous meanness to Lizard's humble servitude, are worth it in themselves. Preschoolers will sympathize with Lizard's plight and applaud his ingenuity. 2003, Greenwillow,

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Singing and dancing, Lizard inadvertently lands on Skunk's toes and tries to make amends: "Let me help you to my rock. I'll take care of you till you're as good as new." The reptile is so apologetic and accommodating that Skunk quickly takes advantage, sending him on errands for mud, grubs, and leaves for a fan. The color cartoon illustrations show the black-and-white striped skunk prancing about while his bright-green benefactor is away, and are a bouncy match for the humorous text and Lizard's energetic song, "zoli-o." The moral is treated in a lighthearted manner, which makes this a good choice for younger children, especially those acquainted with Shannon's Lizard's Home (Greenwillow, 1999) and Lizard's Song (Mulberry, 1992).-Andrea Tarr, Corona Public Library, CA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The latest installment of Lizard's adventures (Lizard's Home, 1999, etc.) begins with Lizard exuberantly dancing and singing, until he stomps on Skunk's toes by accident. Wily Skunk plays on Lizard's guilty conscience, convincing Lizard to wait on him hand and foot until Lizard catches on. Once he discovers that Skunk's toes are perfectly healthy, Lizard must find a crafty way to quit being at Skunk's beck and call, since he doesn't want to risk Skunk's stink by making him angry. On his last errand for Skunk, Lizard ventures further and further away, and Skunk must follow him in order to get his demands met. It's soon apparent that the toes have completely healed, and Lizard throws a party to celebrate Skunk's "newfound" health and distract Skunk from the fact that he's been tricked. Young readers will quickly spot Skunk's duplicity, and will cheer Lizard's ingenious solution to making Skunk reveal himself. The simple, bright illustrations, full of life and outlined in thin black, perfectly convey the sweetness of the animals' friendship. Lizard's indefatigable joviality is hard to resist, and his song-"Sing zing-a-ling. / Sing a zoli-o. / Follow me / And around we'll go!"-will inspire readers and listeners to sing and leap along with him. (Picture book. 4-7)