Monty

Based on James Stevenson's 1979 picture book Monty, this excellent adaptation by Michael Sporn Studios uses simple but effective animation to tell the story of an alligator named Monty who serves as a taxi for Arthur the frog, Doris the duck, and Tom the rabbit. Monty ferries the trio across the river in the morning, and back again in the afternoon. The rest of the time he sleeps. Looking a gift alligator in the mouth, the three animal students complain about Monty's steering, his speed, and virtually any aspect of his free chauffeur service that comes to mind. One day Monty tells the whiners he's on vacation, and the three friends frantically try to come up with alternative transportation routes--all of which get them (and their books) wet. The newfound hardship slowly breeds a growing appreciation for the formerly-taken-for-granted Monty. Excellent pacing, crisp narration, and strong story values make Monty an excellent choice for larger children's collections. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)