PRESCHOOL
Peacock, Lou

Mr. Brown's Bad Day

(2) PS Illustrated by Alison Friend. There are many important things in the life of busy Mr. Brown, a well-dressed tiger. He works an important job at an important office, and he's often found carrying his briefcase full of "very important things." As always, he totes his lunch over to the park to enjoy a peaceful midday meal outside. Trouble begins when a baby elephant snags the briefcase, carrying it off while being strollered away. The narrative offers humor in its repetition and pacing, following the highs and lows of the tiger's attempts to retrieve the case: "Fortunately for Mr. Brown, the baby and his briefcase were not far away...but unfortunately for Mr. Brown, the briefcase got hooked onto an ice-cream cart...and the ice-cream seller pedaled away!" A wild pursuit ensues, taking Mr. Brown on the Ferris wheel and a tricycle before making his way home. When at last a very disheveled Mr. Brown reclaims his lost case, readers will find that the cherished items inside aren't quite what they'd expected. The mixed-media illustrations create texture for all the sights and sounds of a park and fairground, while the simplified shapes and visible crayonlike shading bring a childlike touch to Mr. Brown's world. For fans of Peter Brown's Mr. Tiger Goes Wild (rev. 11/13) and Remy Charlip's classic Fortunately, this story will take readers on a romp to retrieve what's been lost and to remember what's important.

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