Cock-a-Doodle Who?

PreS-Gr 1—This board book uses rhyming text and die-cut illustrations to introduce youngsters to a variety of animals. Similar to What Do You See?? and Look Who's There (both Albert Whitman, 2011), only three colors are used on each spread. In this book, black and white are accented by one other hue. This contrasting color technique is great for babies and toddlers, as is the use of different patterns and die-cuts. The text requires a slightly older audience; it asks questions on one page—"Mooing cow, for whom do you wait?"—and answers them on the next, "This maid stepping with a very quick gait." The vocabulary is challenging and not necessarily child-friendly. For example, some of the pairings, e.g., "Who makes you leave your home, poor snail? A hiker who plucks mushrooms for sale," might require a bit of explanation. However, the art is consistently clever and pleasing. An additional purchase because of its broad visual appeal.—Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL