VEG PATCH PARTY

When the cows go to sleep, the veggies rock!

As the sun goes down on the farm, all of the animals close their eyes; it is time for bed. But not for the vegetables! They peer cautiously from their planted rows: “All clear?” a cauliflower head asks. “Yup!” another replies. “The vegetables start waking up. / They stretch and rise and shine. / They drag out lots of stages / Cos it’s VEGGIE PARTY TIME!” An Elvis-inspired potato is the first performer, fronting The Chips. Then comes the pumpkin, who gets the crowd going wild. Parsnips, turnips, peas, and carrots; everyone is dancing! The rollicking refrain is hard to resist: “SO conga like a carrot, / Party like a pea, / Rock out like a radish, YEAH! / And boogie like a bean! / It’s called the veg patch party. / It’s muddy, loud and fun… / So get your veggie wiggle on / And rock out EVERYONE!” A thunderstorm comes, but even that doesn’t stop them. The veggies are in their element: rain and soil! Murphy’s bright, boldly outlined vegetables jump (and jive) off the page. The veggies are anthropomorphized with googly eyes, grins, and rubbery arms and legs—readers may not want to eat these veggies, but they may feel more inclined to munch on regular ones after a couple readings. Sneaky nods to bands give adult readers a chance to chuckle as well. 

Fun for storytime; inspirational for the dinner plate too.