Yak and Gnu

K-Gr 2—Yak and Gnu take off down the river, delighting in the fact that "no one else/but you and me/can float a boat/or sail the sea." However, they quickly discover that they aren't alone in their seafaring ways, as other animals, including a calf and a stingy (scorpion), in a variety of floating vehicles join the party. When Yak feels anxious about the crowd, Gnu reminds him that their individuality and friendship make them unique and that "there's nobody else…quite like you." Rhymes and tongue-twisters give this counting tale a Dr. Seuss vibe. Interesting word choices (catamaran, flotilla) enliven the fun, though inconsistent rhyme sometimes makes the text awkward. Brightly colored watercolor and ink illustrations match the whimsical tone and give readers plenty of silly, highly anthropomorphized animals to visually explore. The ending seems predictably sweet without much substance, and the addition of new animals on each page ultimately feels repetitive, rather than adding new dimension to the story. Still, those who enjoy word gymnastics will likely be satisfied.