India the Showstopper    by Kerry Argent Order:  USA  Can Allen & Unwin, 2008 (2008) Hardcover     Reviewed by Hilary Daninhirsch For the drama queen (or king) in your life, here comes a picture book about taking direction, teamwork, and sharing the spotlight. India the elephant is used to being the star of the Big Top; her act centers around playing the mouth organ, and she loves the applause. While initially successful, the circus begins to experience problems such as diminishing crowds. Barney the ringmaster calls in a circus consultant, a heavy-hitting rhino named Oswaldo the Magnificent. Everyone is willing to work with Oswaldo to help make the circus better, though he clashes with India, who can't seem to do anything right in his presence. When India makes a mistake onstage, she runs away. Only after the others convince her that they appreciate her talents, does she return to the circus. I always liked Kerry Argent's illustrations (especially in One Woolly Wombat), and in this book, her signature style is as colorful and lively as ever. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews