Over in the Meadow

Learning to read and learning to count come hand in hand in this picturebook rendition of the favourite rhyme. Each of its ten stanzas is strongly rhythmic and there is a predictable pattern with words and phrases repeated throughout. The verses tend to imprint themselves on the memory once heard so youngsters should be able to read the book for themselves once it has been read to them. Mary Maki Rae's illustrations, too, have a strength, the flora and fauna of the meadow being executed in bold blocks of acrylic colour against a textured background. Make sure you get this one.