Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds (review)

A trio of apex predators, a lion, a great white shark, and a timber wolf, form a support group to develop strategies to cope with the fact that their neighbors don't like them. They take a crack at vegetarianism, but greens don't agree with the lion and the shark, while the wolf notices that "every single berry bush seemed to have a bunny inside." Another successful carnivore, a great horned owl, suggests they simply give up the angst and accept themselves for the meat eaters that they are. They take his advice, and, wouldn't you know it, the owl is not only wise but "also DELICIOUS." Reynolds could have pocketed the laugh and quit right there, but struggles on for several more pages before the final gag—the wolf and the lion reading a sushi cookbook while the nervous shark looks on. The low-cal plotting is tastier for kids who read Reynolds' bio blurb on the jacket flap, documenting his own epic fail at vegetarianism; his comic cri de coeur is delightfully supported by Santat's mixed-media pictures, with their Disneyesque hues and composition and the savory tidbits tucked into the spreads. The shark, forced onto land to attend his support group, is particularly winsome in his transparent diver's helmet full of water. This may not rise to main course, but it could be a tasty appetizer at a food themed story time.