One Bear, One Dog; Who Says Moo?

With the current focus on the importance of young children's awareness of rhyme as an indicator for reading success it is good to have picture books which immediately engage and sustain beginning readers' interest and at the same time incorporate a vital reading 'lesson' in an uncontrived, eminently re-readable way.

One such is One Bear, One Dog, essentially a minimalist cumulative (via the pictures) tale told in just 24 words as bear is joined by one dog, mouse, frog, kitten, goose, monkey, moose, beetle, bee, tiger and finally ME! (the reader in the mirror on the final page). This delightful surprise as well as the rhyme and the interaction of the animals conveyed through movement, expression and gesture in friendly, expressive illustrations mean that this book can be read and re-read.

The same is true of Who Says MOO? wherein the rhyming text poses the questions and the answers are provided by the endearing watercolour illustrations which grace each double spread. Again there is direct reader involvement on the final spread through the closing invitation, 'Can you tell me who is who? Is there someone here like you?' beneath 24 small, named pictures of the animals and a line of children of all colours, shapes and sizes.