I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips, ideas etc.  I am trying to make a lion, giraffe and elepant for a childrens birthday cake similar to the ones on the  2010 Wilton yearbook. Is fondant, gumpaste or a mixture of each better to work with? Also, what I have played around with so far, it seems hard to get the balls of fondant to stay smooth without any cracks or marks when you are rolling them for the bodies or heads. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I add tylose to fondant to make figures.  I use a bit of crisco on my hands just a touch when rolling the balls for the heads or bodies.  There are few videos On youtube you can search for  "gum paste lion" or giraffe.
 

Thanks!  Yes, I did find some really good videos on you tube. I will try the touch of crisco when rolling the balls. It just seems no matter how hard I try to get them smooth I still end up with a line of some sort I can't seem to smooth away.