Leaping Lemmings!

“If all of your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?” It’s a question often asked in situations where someone needs a little reminder to think for themselves, and it is answered several times in this comical book about lemmings–and specifically one lemming called Larry. Larry stands out from the other lemmings, not only in his desire to have his own name, but also in his desire to be his own lemming. His resounding “No!” to the afore mentioned question is, however, initially almost drowned out by a sea of “Yes!” from his lemming compatriots. While this book may struggle to become a classic, with its plethora of cultural and contemporary references, in its witty humor and off-the-wall randomness (pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and hot sauce, anyone?), modern readers will find much to delight them. Clever lemming costumes and opportunities to play “I Spy” abound, and the use of speech bubbles for dialog adds opportunities to accordian your reading of the book depending on how long you’d like the experience to last. Larry’s clever use of the lemmings’ own weakness to save them from themselves is the beginning of a new era of thoughtfulness for the lemmings and reminds us to start where we are in the process of change.