Deadfall? Oh, No! by Candace Fleming

FROG FELL INTO A DEEP, DEEP HOLE.
HE COULDN'T GET OUT TO SAVE HIS SOUL!

Oh, no! It's bad enough to fall for the old deadfall trap, but it's even worse to have that happen while you are fleeing a hungry tiger! Tiger clearly figures out that some kindly good Samaritan is going to come along evengtually to lend a hand, so he hides himself in the lush jungle foliage and settles down to wait until that kind soul does the retrieval work for him. He doesn't have to wait long.

MOUSE WAS SO SMALL,
WHAT COULD SHE DO?

SHE TRIED REACHING DOWN,
AND SHE FELL IN, TOO!

As Tiger gleefully lurks in the bamboo, contemplating two tasty tidbits, other would-be rescuers come along, with the same well-meaning but unsuccessful attempts--Loris, Sun Bear, and then Monkey--all find themselves falling into the hole to join Frog at the bottom. Oh, no!

Now Tiger is ready to make HIS move.

OH, NO!

HE SMILES AT THE SIGHT OF HIS TASTY FEAST.

But Tiger counts his chickens before they hatch, metaphorically speaking, as suddenly the ground begins to shake and quake, and this discombobulated predator finds himself facing his nemesis, at full gallop with retribution in his eyes--the only critter in the jungle who has no fear of him---Elephant!

And Elephant's trunk easily gives the almost-prey an easy out, just in time for Tiger to get his comeuppance with a big putdown--as he falls into the deep, deep hole. OH, NO!

Candace Fleming and Caldecott artist Eric Rohman (for My Friend Rabbit), team up in their brand-new Oh, No! (Schwartz & Wade, 2012), a rhyming rain forest romp of a story with Rohman's characteristic thick blackline illustrations taking on a more realistic style in eye-pleasing pages which could tell the tale without text--except for the fact that Fleming's beguiling verse irresistibly must be read out loud and with zest. An classic jungle cautionary tale told with jolly inevitability.

"Oh, yes! This is a terrific new picture book!" quips Kirkus Reviews.