Ages 3^-8. As in Arnold's Duck, Duck, Goose? reviewed on page 1821, the basis for this story is the entertaining notion of animals switching body parts. This time, however, the changes are made without the animals' approval: Macrobius the Magician is amusing himself with a series of practical jokes. As he goes through the forest, he gives Bear a pig's snout, Frog a set of butterfly wings, and Fox webbed paws. Surprisingly, it's meek Hedgehog who comes up with a plan to outwit the magician, but the Schuberts leave the conclusion open-ended, challenging children to guess what the next development will be. Watercolor illustrations combine funny touches (the decor of the Magician's room reveals him to be a mischievous child wizard) with softly colored, nicely detailed animals and landscapes. Susan Dove Lempke
From Kirkus Reviews
A bear with a pig snout? A frog with wings? Macrobius the magician has played mix and match with all the animals in the forest. Something has to be done about him--soon. The animals think that Fox will have an answer, but even he has fallen under the spell and sports large yellow goose feet. Lowly Hedgehog comes up with a plan and all of them work together to best Macrobius. The text of this ``united we stand'' story is adequate, but the lively illustrations run away with the honors. Detailed watercolors, many of them full-bleed, double-page spreads, feature a large cast of mixed-up animals, an atmospheric forest, and a rather timid magician. Children will have fun figuring out whose misplaced body parts belong to whom, and the endpapers offer clues to Macrobius's bewitchment. (Picture book. 2-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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