Title: Willis the Warthog

Willis is a confident warthog living in the African country of Botswana who tries to instill the same confidence in his sister, Greta. They are often called ugly by other animals that live around them, but Willis keeps his tail up high and tells Greta to ''always believe in yourself.''

Willis and Greta find themselves in a dangerous situation where Willis must protect his sister by risking his own life. Willis ultimately loses his tail, which makes him question his pride, but Greta reminds him gratefully that he in fact saved her life, and that he once told her she must always believe in herself.

Throughout the adventure, we meet Willis' animal friends and foes, and gain a real sense of what the Botswanian surroundings are like. There is even more information in the back of the book for young readers interested in knowing more about warthogs and other African facts.

Patsy Smith Roberts has told the story not only with words, but also with her candid wildlife photography capturing the characters beautifully. Also engaging are the little warthog sketches by Willis M. Everett III that add a lively touch to the book. Overall, this is a very timeless, warm story that will delight many young readers for years to come.