From head to toe

Ages 2^-4. Carle's signature strong collages are put to good use in this book about movement. In each two-page spread, a child is paired with an animal, and kids are invited to make the same movement as the duo. Usually, the movement is one that comes naturally to the animals--for instance, an elephant stomps its feet, and so does a girl with braids; a gorilla thumps its chest, and so does a young boy. (Sometimes the connection is more tenuous, such as the alligator wiggling its hips.) The oversize art set against expanses of white will intrigue young children, who will enjoy both seeing the art and doing their own movements. The book will work well in story hours: a bit of wiggling and thumping will make a pleasurable break in the listening. Most libraries will want to shelve this with picture books. --Ilene Cooper

Keeping both text and graphics to a minimum, Carle proves once again just how effective simplicity can be. In these collages, a playful hodgepodge of shapes, patterns and textures pop out from clean white backgrounds to show an energetic cast of animals and children engaged in friendly dialogue. On each spread, a creature introduces itself, moves a particular part of its body (sequences go from "head to toe") and invites a child to do the same ("I am a penguin and I turn my head. Can you do it?"). In each case, the youngster cheerfully declares "I can do it!"-and does. In several instances, Carle creates an uncanny similarity between the child's stance or features and those of the animal. In a refreshing twist, human and animal characters reverse roles in the final scene, as a barefoot child wiggles his toe and asks a parrot if it can do the same. The colorfully plumed fellow obliges, of course, as will readers, especially those on the younger edge of the targeted age span. In fact, they'll eagerly clap, stomp, kick and wriggle their way through these pages from start to finish. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

PreS‘Animals and multiethnic children illustrate various body movements on large, double-page spreads. A giraffe bends its neck, a monkey waves its arms, etc. The repetitive text has the animal stating the movement and asking, "Can you do it?" Each child responds, "I can do it!" Carle's vivid cut-paper collages are striking and invite sharing individually or with a group. There is no story‘rather the book is an invitation to get everyone moving. A nice addition to a toddler storytime, but it may get lost as it's cataloged in 613.7.‘Lisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Can you turn your head like a penguin? Raise your shoulders like a buffalo? Thump your chest like a gorilla? Carle's boldly colored collages on white backgrounds exaggerate each animal's movements and lend this 'animal-aerobics' approach to exercise visual as well as physical fun. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Carle (Little Cloud, 1996, etc.) takes as his premise that animals don't have to go to the gym--their natural movements give them plenty of exercise. ""I am a giraffe and I bend my neck. Can you do it?"" asks the animal of the child. ""I can do it!"" is the invariable reply. If readers participate in the gestures shown on every page, they'll get something of a work-out, for the analogies are good: foot-stomping elephants, clapping seals, and shoulder-hunching buffalo are enticingly imitatable. The book's large size and bold, brightly colored animals make it ideal for story hours. Unusual for Carle--and highlighted by the emphasis on action--is the stiffness of the collages: Neither children nor animals convey a sense of motion, but appear locked into place. Linda Lowery's Twist With a Burger, Jitter With a Bug (1995) inspires similar participation, but is a more rhythmic and vivacious book. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Ages 2^-4. Carle's signature strong collages are put to good use in this book about movement. In each two-page spread, a child is paired with an animal, and kids are invited to make the same movement as the duo. Usually, the movement is one that comes naturally to the animals--for instance, an elephant stomps its feet, and so does a girl with braids; a gorilla thumps its chest, and so does a young boy. (Sometimes the connection is more tenuous, such as the alligator wiggling its hips.) The oversize art set against expanses of white will intrigue young children, who will enjoy both seeing the art and doing their own movements. The book will work well in story hours: a bit of wiggling and thumping will make a pleasurable break in the listening. Most libraries will want to shelve this with picture books. ((Reviewed April 15, 1997)) Copyright 2000 Booklist Reviews

Keeping both text and graphics to a minimum, Carle proves once again just how effective simplicity can be. In these collages, a playful hodgepodge of shapes, patterns and textures pop out from clean white backgrounds to show an energetic cast of animals and children engaged in friendly dialogue. On each spread, a creature introduces itself, moves a particular part of its body (sequences go from "head to toe") and invites a child to do the same ("I am a penguin and I turn my head. Can you do it?"). In each case, the youngster cheerfully declares "I can do it!" and does. In several instances, Carle creates an uncanny similarity between the child's stance or features and those of the animal. In a refreshing twist, human and animal characters reverse roles in the final scene, as a barefoot child wiggles his toe and asks a parrot if it can do the same. The colorfully plumed fellow obliges, of course, as will readers, especially those on the younger edge of the targeted age span. In fact, they'll eagerly clap, stomp, kick and wriggle their way through these pages from start to finish. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) Copyright 1998 Publishers Weekly Reviews

As the artist's collages emulate animal movements, children will "eagerly clap, stomp, kick and wriggle their way through these pages," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Animals and multiethnic children illustrate various body movements on large, double-page spreads. A giraffe bends its neck, a monkey waves its arms, etc. The repetitive text has the animal stating the movement and asking, "Can you do it?" Each child responds, "I can do it!" Carle's vivid cut-paper collages are striking and invite sharing individually or with a group. There is no story rather the book is an invitation to get everyone moving. A nice addition to a toddler storytime, but it may get lost as it's cataloged in 613.7. Copyright 1998 School Library Journal Reviews