kirkusreviews.com
Young readers are introduced to well-known animals and the sounds they make.
Sweet, whimsical illustrations in pastel colors introduce a dog, a cat, a
frog, a cow, a mouse, a pig, a bird, a sheep, and a rooster, each animal having
its own double-page spread. On the verso, a simple statement accompanies each
depicted animal: “The cat says ‘meow’ ”; “The frog says ‘ribbit’ ”; “The pig
says ‘oink.’ ” Opposite these statements, the animal is depicted performing
some playful action: riding a bike, dancing, singing, dressing up as a ghost.
Unfortunately, as there is neither rhyme, rhythm, nor logic to connect the two
sides, the text falls flat, and readers are more likely to be left mystified than
delighted. For example: “The dog says ‘woof.’ / Even when it’s riding a bike.”
Or: “The cow says ‘moo.’ / Even on Halloween.” Or: “The bird says ‘tweet.’ /
Even when it’s being tickled.” The result is a feeling of arbitrary silliness
rather than artful whimsy. In the penultimate spread all the animals make an
appearance as they wave at the readers: “They all wave to you. / Even when the
book is over!” The final spread acts as a review, with pictures standing in for
nouns, rebus-fashion.
With so many high-quality books on the animal-sounds bookshelf, this one’s
easy to skip. (Board book. 1-3)
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