Knick Knack Paddy Whack (Fun First Steps) (Paperback with CD)
PreSchool-Grade 2—This bright, lively, new interpretation of the classic children's song incorporates numbers, musical-instrument families, and a multiethnic group of adorable children who march along with the "old man" of the song. The dark-skinned, white-haired, mustachioed gent has a bit of the Pied Piper in his drum, using it to turn this song into a parade that takes the group all the way to a lunch of pizza and ice cream. With colorful acrylic and collage illustrations and varying fonts, each spread is alive with activity. The children are introduced with their own numbers that float near them on a small piece of paper as they play a different instrument, with each family identified in the back of the book. Of course, the dog of the chorus—along with his bone—appears on each spread as well. From time to time, the traditional lyrics are altered to follow the story line: "This old man, he played eight,/he played Knick Knack as we ate," and these small changes add to the fun of joining story and song. Even libraries that have the versions by Paul Zelinsky (Dutton, 2002) and Marissa Moss (Houghton, 1992; o.p.) will want this newest entry. With its inventive use of numbers, music, and collage illustrations, it's a worthy addition.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.