NOTES: Rhyming Books, ages 2-6
Wendy E. Betts
While You Sleep by Julia Moore. Illustrated by Lyn Gilbert
"I Don't Care" Said the Bear written and illustrated by Colin West
Toddlerobics written and illustrated by Zita Newcome
Eek! There's a Mouse in the House written and illustrated by Wong
Herbert Yee
NOTES FROM THE WINDOWSILL ISSN 1078-8697
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Vol. 4, No. 5g Picture Books: Rhyming, ages 2-6 5/27/96
__ While You Sleep_ by Julia Moore. Illustrated by Lyn Gilbert.
Dutton, 1996 (0-525-45462-4) $11.99
Lyrical, evocative, yet very simple, this is a sweet and soothing
lullaby that describes the activities of the outside world, where "sea
plants sway, clown fish play, sunflowers bloom, hummingbirds zoom,"
all "while you sleep." Possibly some toddlers may find this more
intriguing then soporific, but the general effect is lulling and
comforting. Lush, glowing pictures show a variety of different
natural landscapes, peacefully inhabited. (2-4)
__ "I Don't Care" Said the Bear_ written and illustrated by Colin West.
Candlewick, 1996 (1-56402-807-0) $9.99
As the bear walks around "with his nose in the air," he takes no heed
of the small voice that warns him of "a moose on the loose and a
bad-tempered goose." Even "a pig who is big and a snake from the
lake" don't rattle him--but when the bear realizes that the voice
that's been warning him belongs to a teeny-weeny mouse, he runs off in
terror, leaving the other animals in stitches. This is a fun look at
a familiar theme, with a repetitive text that reads aloud nicely.
West's watercolor pictures are appropriately silly and expressive,
particularly the snooty bear and the very clearly ticked-off goose.
(2-4)
__ Toddlerobics_ written and illustrated by Zita Newcome. Candlewick,
1996 (1-56402-809-7) $14.99
Eight energetic toddlers take us through an exhilarating workout in
this animated rhyming book. In "toddler gym" the exuberant youngsters
"stretch up high and touch the sky," to begin their playful exercises;
young listeners who have been getting restless will be happy to join
them. Beginning readers may also enjoy reading--and acting out--this
book with younger siblings, and just a touch of exercise class parody
is amusing for adult readers, without going over the top. The
watercolors pictures of brightly outfitted toddlers against a white
background are lively and cute, a bit in the plump, rosy-cheeked style
of the Anholts' books. (2-6/4-6)
__ Eek! There's a Mouse in the House_ written and illustrated by Wong
Herbert Yee. Houghton Mifflin, 1992; 1995 (0-395-72029-X) $4.95 pb
and cassette tape
(reprinted from the hardcover review, volume 3, number 7b)
When a little girl spots a mouse in her house, she send in the Cat to
chase it. But then the Cat knocks over a lamp, so she has to send in
the Dog to catch it. . . and soon the house is so full of animals, she
has to send in the Elephant to chase them all out. . . except for the
mouse. With a light rhyming text and pictures that get increasingly
chaotic and absurd as each new animal joins in, this is a very funny
and enjoyable read. The cheerfully nonchalant expressions of the
animals are especially delightful, as they scamper and dance through
the house, playing with everything they see and painting a surreal
picture of what animals might get up to if they only could.
This book and tape package comes in a handy plastic "carry-along
case." The tape, with "turn the page" signals on one side and a plain
version on the other features a slow, expressive reading by Will Hines
and a chirpy, noisy, repetitive soundtrack reminiscent of
Merry-Go-Round music. (2-6/4-6)