OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM

Eye-catching illustrations enliven a children’s musical classic. A two-page aerial view shows rectangular farm plots of various sizes and colors, before we meet Old MacDonald, with abundant gray curls and rosy cheeks. A perky dog is always at his side. Cabrera’s swirls and dabs of paint, besides covering a wide spectrum of colors, also give a three-dimensional appearance to her paintings. These show MacDonald rowing in a boat surrounded by quacking ducks, cradling a lamb while surveying his meadow of sheep, riding a horse, etc. After all the animals have a cacophonous reprise, MacDonald and his wife share one more verse, featuring . . . a baby! Nothing particularly original here, but a bright enticement to the very young to sing along, and learn about the farm animals. (Picture book. 2-5)