Title: Riley the Rhinoceros
Author: Patricia Derrick
Art and music by: Jean-Paul Loppo Martinez
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 978-1-64908-969-4
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 30
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Hollywood Book Reviews
Within this colorful and wonderfully illustrated jungle lives many animals, each with their own personified characteristics. Readers are brought into author Patricia Derrick’s Riley the Rhinoceros by seeing Riley become the jungle’s “Jungle Bus,” carrying smaller animals to help find their way home.
However, Riley cannot take all of the animals. As is written, “One day Leopold the Leopard jumped upon his back; Riley quickly let him know he didn’t agree with that.” Jasper the Jaguar was also denied a ride. Same with Titan the Tiger, Piney the Python, Gerald the Giraffe who happened to have a leg in a cast, and so on and so forth. Why Riley could not take certain animals, it is repeated through the book, “ ’Cause that would be Pre pos ter ous.” Preposterous of course rhymes with Rhinoceros, which sets a clever foot, beat and tempo to the rhyming prose of the text of this poetic book. The youngsters reading, or being read this book, are carried into a fanciful world of happy animals, doing their “animal things” in the jungle, all wanting to get a free ride on Riley.
The repetition of the rhyming sequences, along with the absolutely original theme and world-class illustrations, makes Riley the Rhinoceros fill the prerequisites for a Best-In-Class children’s book. After the story ends, Patricia Derrick has an original song with lyrics, for those who can read sheet music, to enjoy more of this wonderful world. Also are the author’s thoughts to how best to use this book in the education of the children, along with actual photographs of Rhinoceroses and factual information.
Let’s face it, in the animal kingdom the Rhinoceros is one, if not, of the strangest looking beasts, with its body armor and huge horn; yet benign in its mild behavior and kind to other animals – being a vegetarian. It makes for the most interesting of characteristics for children to learn from, and their curiosity is certainly fueled by paging this story. Also, the other animals are all exercising characteristics of each of their personalities, allowing the reading audience to enjoy this book as much fun as a trip to the zoo.
Riley the Rhinoceros is a must-have book for a young family’s library. It will make the ideal gift for a baby-shower, or an early year birthday present, or simply bought by a parent for their own family. Singing the song, and reading the book over-and-over, will provide countless hours of entertaining the growing minds of children while educating them to the ways of the jungle.