OVER THE HILLS & FAR AWAY

A perfectly charming version of the old song, complete with all the verses and music at the back. “Tommy was a piper’s son” and in this case he’s an otter. All the characters are animals, dressed in fine antique clothing—vests, long skirts, and cloaks—and Conover’s stippling suggests furry textures and intensifies nostalgic colors. The chorus of “Over the hills and a long way off / The wind shall blow my top hat off” always appears on a double-page spread that indicates in which season of the year Tom’s tunes take place. The spread that follows has a verse with a small and cunning shadow/silhouette picture (the top hat never loses its red band) opposite a full-page illustration. All the denizens of this cozy land, who have been delighted by his piping, turn up for Tommy and Molly’s wedding in the spring; the last picture shows that the joy of bagpipes has been passed to a new generation. There’s a genuine warmth and comfort to this nursery tune, and children not quite ready for hobbits will enjoy it. (Picture book. 3-7)