ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM!

A traditional nursery rhyme in board-book format.

In this version, the musical notation is included on the
back cover but without fingerplay directions. No matter; toddlers will quickly
match actions to the words. The challenge will be settling them down for the
next story after the satisfying “Five, four, three, two, one… / BLAST OFF!”
Kubler’s multiracial cast of astronauts includes a black child who uses a
wheelchair and two in glasses. The children’s costumes and their rocket ships
appear homemade. Though the children are busy, Kubler’s illustrations are not.
Using a palette reminiscent of slightly faded construction paper, she provides
just enough detail to tell the story. Three more rhymes published
simultaneously follow the same format. Round
and Round the Garden and Sleeping
Bunnies are not so well known in the United States, but a fresh version of Wheels on the Bus is always welcome. All
use the traditional wording. In Garden,
both the child in the bear costume and the friend who tickles wear glasses; a
bespectacled white child and a black child who both wear bunny pajamas play the
key roles in Bunnies. Clever
caregivers will let children take turns acting out the different roles.

Yes, you can find fingerplays and songs online. But this
simple board book and its companions are a more age-appropriate and satisfying
way to introduce toddlers to sometimes-neglected storytime traditions. (Board book. 1-4)