by Eve Merriam & illustrated by Pam Paparone ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2001
Merriam (Where's That Cat, 2000, etc.) has a poet's gift for the sort of lively language play that delights young children with just a few well-chosen words, such as "Heels / Wheels / Flippery seals and slippery eels." This playful poem, originally published in 1962, functions as a concept book about actions, animals, and objects found on or near the ground, at just the right height for children to observe with all their senses. Some of the choices are obvious (pebbles and shells), while others are more subtle, such as the smell of flowers or a new moon on the horizon. The rhyming couplets of the poem are skillfully integrated into cheery full-page or double-spread illustrations of chubby-cheeked children and amusing animals: a dachshund, a cow-licking clover, and a giraffe (curled up sleeping and thus showing how even a tall animal can be part of the "low" concept). Paparone (Fire Fighters, 1999, etc.) uses a bright palette of crayon colors and injects lots of humorous details into her thoughtfully composed illustrations. The rich language, rhyme, and rhythm of the text make this an engaging story for preschoolers and a logical choice for new readers too, who might try writing their own "High Song" sequels. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-689-82820-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2001
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by Kelly Starling Lyons ; illustrated by Luke Flowers ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2016
It’s a bit hard to dance, or count, to this beat.
Dinos that love to move and groove get children counting from one to 10—and perhaps moving to the beat.
Beginning with a solo bop by a female dino (she has eyelashes, doncha know), the dinosaur dance party begins. Each turn of the page adds another dino and a change in the dance genre: waltz, country line dancing, disco, limbo, square dancing, hip-hop, and swing. As the party would be incomplete without the moonwalk, the T. Rex does the honors…and once they are beyond their initial panic at his appearance, the onlookers cheer wildly. The repeated refrain on each spread allows for audience participation, though it doesn’t easily trip off the tongue: “They hear a swish. / What’s this? / One more? / One more dino on the floor.” Some of the prehistoric beasts are easily identifiable—pterodactyl, ankylosaurus, triceratops—but others will be known only to the dino-obsessed; none are identified, other than T-Rex. Packed spreads filled with psychedelically colored dinos sporting blocks of color, stripes, or polka dots (and infectious looks of joy) make identification even more difficult, to say nothing of counting them. Indeed, this fails as a counting primer: there are extra animals (and sometimes a grumpy T-Rex) in the backgrounds, and the next dino to join the party pokes its head into the frame on the page before. Besides all that, most kids won’t get the dance references.
It’s a bit hard to dance, or count, to this beat. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-8075-1598-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2016
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by Tammi Sauer ; illustrated by Troy Cummings ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 6, 2021
Pure fun; readers and preschoolers will applaud both the silliness and practicalities presented.
Animal friends on the farm are ready to enjoy the pleasures of each new season—but Cow displays confusion over what is expected.
In a double-page spread before the title page, an excited Rooster crows, “SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!” Spring is announced immediately after the title page, and readers see Duck watering her newly emerged sprouts, Sheep flying a kite, and Goat enjoying the spring showers. Cow, however, appears dressed in mittens, a heavy scarf, and hat. “Oh Cow. Not now,” says Rooster. Summer arrives, and with it swimming, beach play, and ice cream cones, but Cow is ready with a sled, snow boots, and heavy sweater. And again Rooster tells her, “Oh Cow. Not now.” Amusing illustrations in bold colors reflect each season’s attributes while the succinct and simple rhyming text details the animals’ activities. The fall scenario shows orange and brown leaves falling with Horse raking, Chick munching on an apple, and Sheep carving a pumpkin: “Horse is ready. / Builds a pile. / Chick is ready. / Snacks awhile. // Sheep is ready. / Adds a smile.” But a parka-clad Cow is set on skiing. Rooster: “Oh, Cow. Just…wow.” When, in winter, Cow shows up in a bathing suit and flippers, her exasperated friends finally tell her, “We need to talk.” Readers might wonder whether Cow is just innocently clueless or expressing her individualism. Kids will nevertheless be eager to repeat the refrain, the predictable structure of the page turns and pacing expertly cuing them. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 61.9% of actual size.)
Pure fun; readers and preschoolers will applaud both the silliness and practicalities presented. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4629-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
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