When you have a canine companion who needs a minimum of four miles of walking or running every day, you find yourself exploring known and unknown pathways. You frequently find yourself having to traverse through unexpected brush, fallen trees, and flooded trails. Sometimes as you come around a bend or reach the top of a hill, you find yourself face to face with a creature who is just as surprised to see you. Every situation is different. Each one deserves your best and careful assessment.
In the newest release by brothers Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey, four residents of a southern watery realm find themselves in a dilemma. Somewhere in the Bayou (Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W. W. Norton and Company, March 1, 2022) brings readers directly into the animals' predicament. As we read this tale, we have to ask ourselves how we might react in a similar situation. Would we act like Opossum, Squirrel, Rabbit, or Mouse? Or would we fashion an entirely different response?
We need a place to cross.
Does anyone
see one?
All I see is plants.
My feet hurt.
The foursome finally find a place to cross. They discover the presence of a log. A log is a perfect bridge across water, but this log has a tail snuggly against it. Rabbit thinks it is
a sneaky tail.
After a brief discussion, Opossum decides the only way to trick a sneaky tail is to quietly walk along the log. Two loud sounds indicate his idea was not a success. Where is he?
Now there are three not-so brave animals wondering how to cross on that log with the tail. Rabbit changes the definition of that tail. Squirrel decides to show that tail a thing or two. A loud Squirrel screech echoes in the watery realm. It is followed by those same two loud sounds.
For the third time Rabbit gives an opinion on the type of tail they are facing. Rabbit decides to address the tail with a stick. You guessed it, readers. Two loud sounds pierce the air in that bayou.
Mouse asks a question but is met with silence. Mouse ventures onto the log trying to decide what kind of tail it is. Mouse makes a decision and acts. It is followed by those same two loud sounds, but are they for the same reason? The ensuing conversation will leave readers pondering and probably laughing. And Mouse . . . is shocked and completely relieved.
Authors Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey certainly can spin a story masterfully. Told entirely in dialogue, we easily come to understand the personalities of the characters. Each phrase they utter seems to finish the thoughts of the previous speaker.
After Opossum tries to cross the log and fails, a pattern is established. This pattern invites reader participation. The single word sounds will be shouted by readers and listeners as Squirrel and Rabbit try to cross on the log.
The established cadence shifts with Mouse. This creates anticipation and tension especially when the single word sounds are read. That anticipation and tension stays until the very end. The final sentence supplies us with a huge pause. Here is a passage.
THAT'S A
SCARY TAIL!
THAT'S NOT SCARY.
I'LL SHOW YOU SCARY!
BUT---
When you open the dust jacket, you can see the design extends flap edge to flap edge. To the left of the spine, on the back, the log reaches to the shore. A long plant sticks out of the water. On the far left, shrubs and trees frame the scene. The grass goes to the edge. On the front, the right side, the cattails, log and water go to the far right. The color palette of the bayou and each of the characters is introduced in this image. We are also privy to the expressive eyes of the characters. It is fabulous how much emotion Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey can show with a round white circle and a black dot.
On the book case, from edge to edge is the same scene from the right flap edge to the middle of the back of the jacket. It is the log, trees, and some plants. The tail and four creatures are absent. Is this before or after the story?
On the opening and closing endpapers is an alligator green hue. The splendid signature artwork of the brothers begins after the opening endpapers. So does the narrative. We briefly pause for the title and verso pages, but the back and tail of Mouse are shown on the far right.
The visuals alternate between double-page pictures, a series of vertical panels, a full-page picture, some horizontal panels and two full-page pictures. Sometimes elements from one panel are part of another panel. We are usually very close to the action. At times we might just see a face or the lower portion of an animal's body with their legs and feet. This technique of shifting the image sizes and perspectives further draws us into the tale.
One of my many favorite illustrations is a double-page picture. It is after Opossum has failed in an attempt to cross on the log with the tail. On the right side we see the water, the log, a portion of the tail and two cattails. On the left side on the grassy bank, standing upright are the three remaining animals, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Mouse. There are bushes and trees behind them. They are all holding their front paws in front of them. But, their eyes are hilarious. Rabbit is looking down at Squirrel. Squirrel is looking up at Rabbit. Mouse is looking down at the grass. Their looks are most definitely wide-eyed as their minds wonder what just happened.
This book, Somewhere in the Bayou written and illustrated by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey, is engaging and thought-provoking. It is also laden with tension, possibilities, and humor. It will surely promote discussions and requests for it to be read again, repeatedly. You will want to have a copy for your personal and professional collections.
To learn more about the Pumphrey brothers and their other work, please access their website by following the link attached to their names. Jarrett Pumphrey has accounts on Instagram and Twitter. Jerome Pumphrey has accounts on Instagram and Twitter. At the publisher's website, you can view interior images.
