Chicken, Pig, Cow Horse Around, written and illustrated by Ruth Ohi. Annick, 2010. $6.95 ages 3 and up

"Chicken, Pig, and Cow loved each other. Outside...and inside, it was always Chicken, Pig, and Cow. Then one day it wasn't. There was also Horse."

I hope that you have met Chicken, Pig and Cow in previous books. They are quite the characters and Ruth Ohi has a lovely way of giving them life in her fun-filled and detailed watercolors. They are always together and have great love for each other. When Horse arrives, they are quite taken with his agility and strength. Then they begin other not so ingratiating things. He takes up space meant for them.

Ah, Chicken knows just what to do. She suggests a game of hide and seek. She sends Horse off to hide and then deilberately refuses to tell what she has done. Her conscience gets the better of her and she is off to find him. But, where?
She searches in all the normal hiding places and he is nowhere to be found. What? Can that be him in the fishbowl?

Clearly concerned for his safety Chicken flops into the bowl, only to find that Horse is not there. He is on the other side of the glass. To the rescue go Pig and Cow, soon quickly realizing that no one can float! Horse joins them. Chicken cannot tell a lie and sorrowfully apologizes to Horse for the trick she has played on him. All is well....except that they are all in the bowl with no means of escape. A bright idea from Chicken soon finds everyone safe and sound on the outside. There is something to be said about making new friends, isn't there?

This is a great readaloud for young listeners, with lively illustrations and not too much text. There is much subtext in the artwork. Once you meet them, you will want to read their other adventures...Chicken, Pig, Cow (Annick, 2008), Chicken, Pig, Cow on the Move (Annick, 2009) and Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Purple Problem (Annick, 2010). They are a delight!