Review by Booklist Review
Cabrera continues her pitch-perfect pairing of rollicking nursery rhymes and cheery, painterly illustrations with this counting rhyme revamp featuring plenty of surprises, including four capering chicks that do their best to hide among the book's exuberant, candy-colored scenes. Double-page spreads illustrate each line of Cabrera's updated rhyme as Rabbit buckles her Mary Janes and hurries to help Mommy Hen collect treats from the garden ( 11, 12, dig and delve ) and prepare a feast for a hungry group of piglets ( 17, 18, all a-waiting ). But as the book's cover indicates, this is no ordinary meal; there's a celebration in store. Rabbit and Mommy Hen have been busily preparing a surprise birthday party for the piglets and an even more surprising birthday cake. Full of number fun and Cabrera's friendly, wide-eyed animal characters, this title is well suited for a rousing group read-aloud or a leisurely lapsit.--McKulski, Kristen Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cabrera's (Old MacDonald Had a Farm) version of this familiar schoolyard song takes readers all the way up through the number 20, as her rabbit heroine helps some animals get ready for a big party. Though the rhymes are occasionally a stretch ("15, 16, in the kitchen"), the lively images, thick with paint strokes, create a cheerful atmosphere. Additionally, the opening challenge to find four small chicks on each spread will keep readers entertained as they read along. Ages 2-5. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-In Cabrera's twist on this nursery rhyme, a sweet blue-gray bunny in a magenta dress leads four mischievous chicks to a birthday party. The bunny buckles her shoes, runs out the door, jumps over the gate, and meets the big fat hen. She also digs and delves, finds pigs a snortin', has her friends all a-waiting, and finally has a party. What makes this version stand out is that it counts up to 20. In addition, the four chicks hide on each page, asking readers in a somewhat imperfect rhyme to find them if they can. The cheerful oil paintings, done in bright Easter egg colors, will fit nicely into a spring collection or display. Kids who love to count will find the book fun, and librarians will enjoy sharing a new version of this familiar poem in storytimes. However, since the concept has been done many times, it's an additional purchase.-Adrienne Wilson, Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, Monroe, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
