IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

Pick this up for a surefire storytime crowd-pleaser. The simple, repetitive text provides a twist on the familiar song, instructing the audience to show their joy not only by clapping their hands and stomping their feet, but also by roaring, crawling around and beating their chests, among other animal-inspired activities. In Warhola’s action-packed illustrations, two children explore the “Big Jungle Playground,” which is filled with equipment in the shape of jungle creatures. To their delight, a new animal comes to life on each page with each new action, until, at the end, all of the animals on the playground have joined in the fun. The children’s mother, meanwhile, has been perched on a bench reading a book throughout this adventure; although each spread has her in a slightly different reading posture, she is always oblivious to the excitement building around her. Be careful with this one. Read it to a group of children and you will almost certainly end up with your very own jungle by the time you’ve turned the final page. (Picture book. 3-6)