Over in the Meadow: A Counting Rhyme

From one little turtle to ten little foxes playing in the meadow, the beloved nursery song introduces young children to numbers and counting.

PreSchool-K-Even though there are several illustrated versions of this traditional song in print, there's still room on the shelves for Voce's fresh approach. Sun-drenched endpapers introduce a flower-filled meadow where greens and yellows predominate. The artist's characteristic, google-eyed creatures cavort in simple watercolor landscapes. From 1 digging turtle to 10 foxes playing, these youngsters, under the direction of their mothers, are doing what they do best to the rhyme's delightful, familiar rhythm. On each double-page spread, clear black text appears on the upper left-hand side with the appropriate number spelled out in larger print. The final two pages nicely reiterate all that's come before and capsulize the counting experience in numerals, tiny pictures, and words. While this rendition lacks the mood and variety of Ezra Jack Keats's richly painted version (Scholastic, 1994), the warmth of Paul Galdone's (S.&S. 1989), or the brilliant color of Mary Maki Rae's (Viking, 1986), Voce's goofy, exuberant animals add a humorous new dimension to an old favorite.
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The sun shines over a bright, verdant meadow at the start of Voce's (illustrator of Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat ) energetic rendition of a familiar song. Each spread introduces both a number and an endearingly wide-eyed animal family, from "an old mother turtle and her little turtle ONE" to "an old mother fox and her little foxes TEN." As the offspring obediently follow their mother's directions to either dig, quack, "who-whoo," squeak, buzz, jump, hop, run, oink or play, Voce's watercolor-ink illustrations whimsically depict the respective actions with an animation that well suits each bouncy lyric. The numbers, action words and pictures of the animal siblings are repeated on the final pages, helping to reinforce the counting and vocabulary lessons. Ages 2-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 2-5. Voce illustrates this popular nursery rhyme with a wide-eyed innocence that young children will find beguiling. A counting rhyme, "Over in the Meadow" offers rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, as well as a basic introduction to numbers. In the illustrations, watercolor washes brighten the line drawings, shaping and shading the simple forms. Smiling animals frolic across the sunny double-page spreads, giving this picture book the appeal of a carefree summer day. A fine read-aloud choice for young children at home, at nursery school, or at the library's two-year-old story time. Carolyn Phelan