Comin' Down to Storytime - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1—Building on the familiar song "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain," Reid's animal version begins, "We'll be comin' down to storytime when we come. Yee ha!" as all the farm animals run excitedly to the barn. It ends with, "We will check out lots of books when we leave, Bye Now!" as the animals exit, each with at least one book in hand, and are shown on or under a big, broad tree, reading. Illustrations fit the rollicking mood perfectly. Westcott imbues each scene with plenty of color and lively action as the chicks, ducks, birds, pig, sheep, cat, dog, etc., "hear a funny story," "say a nursery rhyme," "make a fingerplay," and so on. Having created a wonderful advertisement for an energetic storytime, Reid also includes a guide that has a short list of Mother Goose books for the nursery-rhyme portion, a list of children's recordings for suggested songs, and even a picture that may be copied and given to the children to color. This picture book could definitely be used as a beginning book/song for storytimes everywhere, and librarians can also benefit from the good suggestions offered.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA END