This & that

For times when a single bedtime story just isn't enough, the duo behind Where Is the Green Sheep? and Good Night, Sleep Tight tease several at once in this chirpy, repetition-driven tale that hopscotches from one adventure to the next. "I'll tell you a story of this,/ and I'll tell you a story of that," Fox begins. "I'll tell you a story of cavernous caves/ and a chimp with a magic hat." In Horacek's accompanying scenes, watery washes of color and jittery black lines follow two mice-one large, one small-as they float down a river in a bright green box, past bat-filled caves and the magic-making chimpanzee, before tumbling over a waterfall. From there, the mice ride an elephant through a busy marketplace and steal away in a carriage to a palace where royals from around the world cavort. Fox knows how to structure a lively readaloud, and she builds gentle suspense between each bouncy stanza with a repeated "And then..." The cozy ending, sealed with a good night kiss, might be just enough to convince kids that it is indeed bedtime. Ages 3-5. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

PreS-Gr 1-Inspired by a nonsense rhyme to calm a restless grandchild, this book maintains the silly, affectionate spontaneity of its origin. An orange mouse tells a smaller one: "I'll tell you a story of this, I'll tell you a story of that. I'll tell you a story of cavernous caves and a chimp with a magic hat. And then...." The cycle continues with the middle sentence changing to wacky and whimsical scenes of crazy giraffes, kings and queens, and terribly fat hens. Eventually the little mouse is tucked into bed with, "And I'll tell you a story of how I adore you, and then I'll give you a kiss." The bright, cartoonish illustrations perfectly match the playful tone of the text. Young readers will enjoy searching for the two orange mice in each scene. VERDICT Yet another successful read-aloud from this creative team. Purchase where their titles are popular.-Amelia Jenkins, -Juneau Public Library, AK © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

For times when a single bedtime story just isn't enough, the duo behind Where Is the Green Sheep? and Good Night, Sleep Tight tease several at once in this chirpy, repetition-driven tale that hopscotches from one adventure to the next. "I'll tell you a story of this,/ and I'll tell you a story of that," Fox begins. "I'll tell you a story of cavernous caves/ and a chimp with a magic hat." In Horacek's accompanying scenes, watery washes of color and jittery black lines follow two mice—one large, one small—as they float down a river in a bright green box, past bat-filled caves and the magic-making chimpanzee, before tumbling over a waterfall. From there, the mice ride an elephant through a busy marketplace and steal away in a carriage to a palace where royals from around the world cavort. Fox knows how to structure a lively readaloud, and she builds gentle suspense between each bouncy stanza with a repeated "And then..." The cozy ending, sealed with a good night kiss, might be just enough to convince kids that it is indeed bedtime. Ages 3–5. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 1—Inspired by a nonsense rhyme to calm a restless grandchild, this book maintains the silly, affectionate spontaneity of its origin. An orange mouse tells a smaller one: "I'll tell you a story of this, I'll tell you a story of that. I'll tell you a story of cavernous caves and a chimp with a magic hat. And then…" The cycle continues with the middle sentence changing to wacky and whimsical scenes of crazy giraffes, kings and queens, and terribly fat hens. Eventually the little mouse is tucked into bed with, "And I'll tell you a story of how I adore you, and then I'll give you a kiss." The bright, cartoonish illustrations perfectly match the playful tone of the text. Young readers will enjoy searching for the two orange mice in each scene.