The Sheep Made a Leap

Young children can play along with this lively action rhyme by following the catchy, simple instructions given by a rhyming toddler in charge of a colorful cast of performing animals. By the author of A Fox Got My Socks.

PreSchool-Leaping is just one of the 11 actions youngsters will be encouraged to perform when they join the young emcee of this animal stage show. Directions, printed in italics, accompany the rhyming text. The toddler, illustrated in a style reminiscent of Helen Oxenbury's young children, jumps, twirls, falls, sways, rolls, and dances his way through the text. When "two baby seals rolled head over heels," children are instructed to somersault. However, the other 10 moves are not difficult and are sure to use up some of the energy preschoolers have in abundance. The full-color illustrations clearly show animals and child doing the same things and thoroughly enjoying themselves on each double-page spread. After a few practice sessions, youngsters will enjoy this romp with or without adult participation. A fine activity-producing selection.
Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The author-illustrator of Nice Work, Little Wolf! (1993) presents a pantomime, with a toddler announcing the actions of his animal friends and--in an irresistible invitation to young audiences to join in--imitating them on facing pages. The animals' movements are described in catchy verse (``First two little crows/pointed their toes...The monkey stretched his arms out wide./The hippo swayed from side to side./When everyone stamped and yelled for more,/the big gray elephant rolled on the floor''); simple directions for audience/participants are added in smaller type (``Grown-ups clap. [Children] Bow''). Offen's brightly colored pictures are robust and full of smiles. A charming introduction to theater, just right to share with a parent/toddler group. (Picture book. 2-4) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Ages 3-6. Offen provides both a story and an action rhyme that can be used in story hours or one-on-one. A show, starring animals, begins: the crows point their toes, the seals do a somersault, and the sheep take a leap. Bright, bouncy artwork features well-drawn animals on one page and a toddler on the facing page, who is also acting out the text. Children will need adult help if they want to learn the proper gestures, but they can enjoy the book on its own merits, especially the eye-catching pictures full of animals whose simple shapes are just right for the audience. Ilene Cooper