Little Robin Redbreast: A Mother Goose Rhyme

An illustrated version of the traditional rhyme describing a robin's encounter with a cat

PreSchool-This simple little rhyme that stretches back more than two centuries is given a bright new look through a series of painted collages. The very brief text follows a clever bird as it eludes a wily cat. The images are bold, filled with brilliant colors, and enhanced by the textures of the paper and paint. Readers may be reminded of Eric Carle's vivid style. This one is perfect for sharing with toddlers, who will quickly learn the rhyme and enjoy "singing" along. Lap-sit programs will appreciate the generously sized spreads.
Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A simple game of cat and mouse--make that cat and bird--springs to life in this slight picture-book rendition of a Mother Goose rhyme. The brief text, about feline pursuit of an elusive robin, allows one line of verse per spread. Close-up perspectives permit the reader a bird's-eye view of the proceedings, while bright cut-paper collages add zip to basic animal characters and various plants and flowers. Very young children will enjoy the introduction to poetry here, but kids at the upper range of the suggested audience will want something with more heft. Ages 3-5.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 3-6. A stalking feline and a quick-witted robin pounce and flit across the pages of this well-known nursery rhyme. This variation on one of the oldest rhymes (probably first published in this version as a song in 1800) consists of two verses, in both of which the robin escapes. Wee ones will enjoy the large print and the precise, cut-paper collages, enhanced by vibrant acrylic paints and set against the stark white background. A good choice for spring preschool story hours. Note on the text appended. Deborah Abbott