Cougar, Monkey, Armadillo and Bear are the Dung Beatles, a jungle band who love playing music together. Their beat is sent out through the forest on congo drums, guitars and saxophone for everyone to enjoy while they practice.

There is one animal who does not enjoy it as he watches unseen. In fact every time he watches and listens he gets angrier and angrier.

Snake slithers out of his hiding place when the band members have gone for the night, checking out the instruments. He knows he can’t play drums – he hasn’t any arms. Let alone fingers for the guitars or lips for the saxophone. Suddenly he has an idea to finally be part of things!

When the band return to play they have a surprise in store.

I laughed out loud when I read this story. Funky jazz animal musicians put a smile on my face, then snake comes along and caught me by surprise. Young children will love snake’s solution to his problem of feeling left out, but will enjoy the Dung Beatle’s band solution even more.

In predominantly double page spreads, the illustrations are lush with jungle life and will be fun for littlies to spot the animals within the jungle backgrounds. Pockets of rhyme add to the fun, and another surprise awaits the reader at the back of the book!

A fold out snakes and ladders board game is on the inside back cover, with easy instructions on how to play.

Both book and game will sure to be a favourite on home bookshelves.

Author – Jo van Dam

Illustrator – Deborah Hinde

Picture Book

(2023, PictureBook Publishing, NZ illustrator, New Zealand author, Jungle, Animals, Bear, Armadillo, Snake, Cougar, Howler Monkey, Snakes and Ladders, Game, Solutions, Inclusion, Joining in, Feeling Left Out, Jealousy, Music, Band, Practice, Humour, Funny)