Mem Fox (text) and Judy Horacek (illustrator), Meerkat Mayhem, Puffin, November 2024, 32 pp., RRP $189.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780143777687
Mem Fox and Judy Horacek have produced another funny cumulative story, well supported by repetitive phrasing, for young readers. Meerkat, who loves his food, discovers one day that he is too big to leave his burrow. Along come a range of animals to help pull him out: the elephant, giraffe, zebra, monkey but nothing happens, though they pulled and they pulled and they pulled. Each new animal is predicted in the illustrations. Their combined team efforts are no good until the tiny bird adds her strength. Meekat is dismissive of Bird joining in. But Bird adds her energies, and they pull really hard until Meekat pops up, at last and a little worse for wear, but all ready for his next snack.
The humour in the text comes from the asides made by the animals after their failed attempts as well as Meerkat’s frustrations. Horacek’s portrayed facial expressions and body language of all the animals as they strain to remove this relatively small creature will be appreciated by all readers. Young readers will also enjoy engaging in the repetition of the refrain.
Fox and Horacek have produced another classic well-supported by merchandise, though I don’t think it is as skilled as Where is the Green Sheep?
Chosen as one of the 2025 Book of the Year Awards Early Childhood Notables books.
Reviewed by Maureen Mann
