HKFE

Right up front we'll say that the song "Victor Vito" is a much better song than it is a story. However, if you read the book while listening to the CD, you'll have a fun (and nonsensical) illustrated-song experience. Fortunately, the CD is included in the back, and features the songs "Victor Vito" and the catchy "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," both written and performed by Berkner. Plus, the music to "Victor Vito" (with all four verses) is printed in the back for those wanting to create a festive and musical story hour.

The book begins with a letter from polar bears Victor and Freddie, owners of Alaska's Klondike Café, announcing to the seal-waitresses and walrus-cooks that they are embarking on a cross-America road trip to discover new, not-so-fishy taste treats. In New Mexico, they eat a burrito with Tabasco: "They put it on their rice, they put it on their beans." In Louisiana, they put it "on their rutabagas, and on their collard greens." In New York City, a squirrel maitre d' suggests, "Hey VICTOR! Hey Freddie! Let's eat some spaghetti." They do... with Tabasco. When Victor and Freddie finally get home, everyone is excited to eat spaghetti instead of the usual Klondike Café fish. Henry Cole's wonderful depictions of polar bears on their culinary quest are as silly and lively as Berkner's song. (Preschool and older) --Karin Snelson