Jomo And Mata

In the latest iconographic animated children's video from MarshMedia (another, Gumbo Goes Downtown, was reviewed in our January-February 1994 issue), Jomo the elephant learns that "in order to survive in this world, you must be willing to work." When a drought hits the African savannah, Jomo, his big brother Mata, his mother, and aunts, all travel in search of life-giving water. But Jomo, who would rather play a tune on his trunk than dig wells, lets his big brother Mata do all the work. When Jomo is separated from the rest of his family, however, he is forced to draw on his own strength and resources. a good tale by first-time picture book author Alyssa Chase and illustrator Andra Chase. Recommended for larger children's collections. (R. Pitman)