It's Mine! <small>by Leo Lionni</small>

Leo Lionni has created another wonderful little lesson with this parable-like story. His insight to human behavior and his ability to reduce very complicated problems down to a level that a small child can easily understand is one of his strongest, one of many, skills and he certainly kept true to his form with this little offering.

We have three little frogs, Milton, Rupert, and Lydia who live on a wonderful little island covered with ferns and smooth pebbles in the middle of Rainbow Pond. There are bugs to eat, sunshine to enjoy and a rather carefree life. All is well...or is it? Well, I have to report, and am sorry to do so, that all was not well because the three little frogs actually spent most of their days being quarrelsome and bickering, bickering and bickering. They did not want to share the nice pond, the island or even the nice fresh air.

One day a large toad showed up from the other side of the island and informed them that they were disturbing the peace of there entire little world, including his and that they must stop their fighting and arguing at once. Of course little frogs being what they are paid the toad no heed.

One day a storm came up. There was much rain and the water rose. The island slowly began sinking into the murky waters. The little frogs are losing it all; they are seemingly doomed! Their little world and possibly their lives were vanishing. Is there nothing that can save them?

Well of course there was, and through their being jerked from the jaws of disaster the learned that their little world was a very nice place indeed and that their constant arguing and attitude of mine, mine, mine was rather counter productive to a nice peaceful life.

The book is well illustrated with typical Lionni illustrations which anyone who is familiar with this author's work will know are very, very good. The text is simple and perfect for either the preschooler or first grader. It is a good beginning readier and an excellent group read where good lessons in life can be learned. Actually, we adults can learn from it too.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks