Wally Mammoth

Every once in a while you find a picture book that is nuthin’ but fun. WALLY MAMMOTH: THE SLED RACE by Corey R. Tabor and illustrated by Dalton Webb is one of those books.  First of all…Wally Mammoth? How freakin’ clever is that?

It is a simple and delightful story about friendship, competition, and cupcakes. Like the title suggests, this is a tale about a sled race. It involves three characters; Wooly Mammoth, a gentle soul who is in it for the fun, Wolf, who really loves to win, and Otto the bird (a crow??), who comes bearing hot drinks for all. Otto, like wolf, is determined to win as well.

Some haphazard sledding styles causes chaos on the course and the win could be anybody’s. 

The story is told entirely in dialog with speech balloons. We learn about each character in their downhill chatter. It seems clear they are good friends and care more about each other than winning. And cupcakes. Perhaps…

Dalton Webb’s art is active where it needs to be and a kind of peaceful—the way snow falls—when called for. 

The characters are instantly likable and charming. Even in competitive situations. I love the simplicity of Webb’s line work to create the characters. They are very expressive, from joy to excitement to fear. 

One of my favorite things Webb has included is when Otto makes his entrance, he brings coffee or hot chocolate for everyone. And the fact that they all hang on to their drinks through nearly all the mayhem on the sledding course is hilarious.

You might be familiar with Corey Tabor’s other books (Cranky Crabby Crow, Ursula Upside Down, Mel Fell, the Sir Ladybug series, The Fox vs. series, etc.) Always a great story teller and illustrator himself. 

But this is Dalton’s first picture book. I’ve known him for many years as he tried to break into the industry. His art is fantastic and you couldn’t ask to meet a more generous or gentler soul. We were thrilled to have him signing at our Bigfoot Kids’ Book Festival last month. He was so happy and proud of what he and Corey created. I think there are two more books in the series to come out.

Corey Tabor and Dalton Webb at the Bigfoot Kids' Book Festival in October.

Sadly, Dalton passed away a week ago. I am so glad he got to see his first book in print and experience the joy of signing copies and meeting his readers. He will be missed terribly by many, many people.