Rhyme Time

January 1, 2009
Costumed canines act out versions of such nursery rhymes as "Betty Botter," "Hickety, Pickety," and "Fiddle Dee Dee." Trapani extends each rhyme with her own original stanza. Some expand the humor but others are clunky; the rhymes are unfamiliar enough that readers may not know which parts are new. Watercolor, ink, and colored-pencil illustrations give personality to the performing pups.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

August 1, 2008
PreS-KA prolific author presents 14 extended poems, many of them fun tongue twisters. Rufus, a dog, introduces his canine friends Lulu, Tucker, Stella, and Mops; dressed in colorful costumes, the pups act out familiar rhymes as if they were onstage. On the final page, Rufus asks readers to go back to the beginning to look for objects hidden within the illustrations. For example, in "Betty Botter," five cleverly disguised items begin with the letter "B"a balloon, bone, boot, butterfly, and button. The lively artwork was created using watercolor, ink, and colored pencils. Each actor/pooch is a different breed; they all have priceless facial expressions and vary with the situations. Children will ask for repeated readings as they search for the pictures again and again."Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.