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OLD MACDONALD HAD A WOODSHOP

“Old MacDonald had a shop, E-I-E-I-O!” This Old MacDonald is not a he but a she, and a sheep as well. And she has a saw, “with a zztt zztt here and a zztt zztt there.” As the farm animals come to help her, she gives them each a tool—drill, hammer, chisel, file, screwdriver, and paintbrush. As the refrain expands, cameos of the animals using the tools provide clues and build anticipation as to what they’re making. It’s evident they’re all working on something and when the object is unveiled, it is a surprise—a toy wooden barn complete with animals and tractor. Wolff’s gouache and pastel illustrations are custom made for the story’s “wordworking” with cunning touches like Old MacDonald’s flower-patterned carpenter’s apron and her pierced ears, and baby animals peering in the doorway. The endpapers display a pegboard filled with labeled tools. Preschoolers will be delighted with the familiarity of the song, the new sounds to make, and with following each animal’s participation, especially the mouse that picks up nails and cleans up wood shavings. A terrific idea measured and mitered to a tee, building a perfectly crafted book, one that will make a fun gift. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002

ISBN: 0-399-23596-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2002

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I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS

The words to a Christmas song from the 1950s serve as the text for this exploration of a most unusual Christmas gift. An unnamed little girl in pink pajamas is the first-person narrator, explaining in detail why she wants a hippopotamus as her present. Various views of the hippo are shown in a slightly confusing, nonlinear time sequence, but then why would time proceed in a straightforward fashion with a hippo in the house? Santa is shown pushing the hippo through the door, and the following pages show the little girl caring for her hippo, unwrapping it as a Christmas package (a different packaging treatment is shown on the cover), and then flying off with Santa as the hippo pulls the sleigh. Though the little girl and the words to the song are rather ordinary, the lively, lavender hippo in Whatley’s illustrations is a delightful creature, with a big, pink bow on its head and expressive, bulging eyes. (In fact, that hippo deserves a name and a story of its own.) The music and song lyrics are included in the final spread. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-06-052942-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2005

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I AM A PEACEFUL GOLDFISH

A soothing, logical, and playful introduction to mindfulness for young listeners.

What can you do when things go wrong?

Two children contemplate different ways to calm themselves down in this straightforward introduction to breathing, relaxation, and mindfulness. The younger, White-presenting child follows suit when the older, brown-skinned child proposes imaginative calming techniques. They picture themselves as various animals (goldfish, elephants, dragons) and objects (pinwheels, dandelions, wind chimes, flowers), inhaling and exhaling, that make deep breathing and calming down concrete and easy to comprehend. Simplified, whimsical illustrations add a touch of humor and a wink to the 1970s while preventing the story from becoming cloying, as soft, gentle instructions help the characters (and listeners) to understand some of the mechanics behind how to intentionally breathe and decompress. While not necessarily something that children will pick up unless they are learning about practicing mindfulness, this informative title has charm and warmth and will give youngsters some ideas as to how to self-regulate and manage their feelings as they learn to be aware of their breathing. Endpapers feature a multiracial array of children’s faces expressing different emotions.

A soothing, logical, and playful introduction to mindfulness for young listeners. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 13, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-77164-637-6

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Greystone Kids

Review Posted Online: Jan. 26, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2021

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