This version of the cumulative rhyme includes a dead rat, a tattered man, and a sudden wedding among the verses and preserves—even possibly enhances—the bounce and sway of the original… Pair this title with Simms Taback’s This Is the House that Jack Built (Putnam, 2002) for a storytime filled with fun cumulative tales.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
Young listeners will enjoy each crisp, bouncing line as they examine the carefully selected details in the warm, appealing, and colorful depictions of each action-packed segment of the whole event…Perfect for giggling and sharing and right on target for lap-time reading.
—Kirkus Reviews
This version drops the cumulative repetition of the original rhyme, but the spirited rhythm holds true throughout. Bold digital art in warm colors depicts a friendly farm on which Zack, oblivious to the mayhem, continues to build his creation.
—The Horn Book
This British import is a fresh and engaging take on a classic, and the rhythmic retelling is as easy on the ears as the cheerful digital artwork is on the eyes. The barnyard setting and the amusing chain of antics will appeal to preschool and primary grade audiences, and Murray also provides some opportunities for audience participation, such as the repeated references to the “BUZZ”-ing of the fly and the pivotal “blowing the fly away” moment…Add this inviting title to a farm- or fly-themed story hour, use it to talk about cause and effect or sequence of events, or share it as an updated contrast to the traditional rhyme.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A fun…read-aloud.
—Booklist Online
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