Start the groans already.
Traditional knock-knocks unveil themselves in an intriguing, but flimsy, design. Dramatic type mixed with speech bubbles present the natural give-and-take: “KNOCK, KNOCK. / Who's there? / Lettuce! / Lettuce who?” A turn of the flap expands the scene with the inevitable (but short-lived) punch line. “Lettuce in, it's raining!” There’s an intriguing energy in the flamboyant comedians; a little mouse sports a blue collar, polka-dot dress, stripped leggings and bright high-heeled shoes, while a natty raccoon wears red trousers and sneakers, an orange sweater, a pink shirt and a turquoise tie. The animals participate in a cheery illogic younger preschoolers will appreciate. (Little Old Lady Duck yodels atop the snow-capped mountains in a particularly memorable touch.) There is no narrative through line; each joke is self-contained. The diminutive size of the book and lift-the-flap focus suggests interest for younger listeners, though the plays on language skew to an older crowd.
Those tickled by these nostalgic jokes would be better served by a larger and lengthier offering. (Board book. 3-4)
