HOG WILD!

The doyenne of children’s rhyming texts gives listeners of all ages a musical collection accompanied by her signature animal performers.

Each of the 11 songs is given three different treatments: a few pages with words to read and pictures to enjoy, the accompanying sheet music for budding musicians, and a CD with bouncy, cheery songs sure to get little bodies moving. A star-studded cast including Samuel L. Jackson, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Laura Linney perform, creating a musical compilation perfectly appropriate for the youngest listeners and also remarkably aesthetically pleasing for parents and caregivers. Songs range from jazzy to folky to electronic, with a full orchestra behind. Boynton’s expressive animal characters are in full force here, with a rollerblading robot, worried hippos rushing around Manhattan, and a charmingly nerdy T. Rex in need of a self-esteem boost. The text is suited more for singing aloud than reading aloud, but any household with a CD player could find something to love.

Whimsical yet satisfying, this book will have even the most down-in-the-dumps fans of musical children’s media dancing along.