"Kick away the snow
and make spring come
Look under the bed
for poetry
Make music
Nod YES"
What joy is found in this playful and sly alphabet book! Unpublished for many years, Ms. Krauss' longtime publisher and the executor of her estate agreed to have Sergio Ruzzier create the artwork for this new book. What a blessing for us!
With his signature pen and ink and watercolor illustrations and his penchant for often outlandish creatures that accompany more recognizable animal characters from earlier books, Mr. Ruzzier steps up to the plate and hits a home run. He creates wondrous spreads that capture the action in the words Ms. Krauss penned so long ago.
'Jump like a raindrop' shows tiny elephants bouncing skyward in great delight while a tiny cat drops its umbrella and runs for the hills. Observant readers will note that this particular command corresponds to an earlier one, also involving said elephants and cat. 'Walk backward all the way home' shows a v-shaped flock of diverse ducks happily following their leader across a sandy plain. And so it goes!
Unlike any other ABC book of the time, Ms. Krauss created commands meant to mock the tradition inherent in other such books written primarily to teach the alphabet to young children. Mr. Ruzzier uses his innate sense of humor to capture the mood of the text with creatures sure to be loved by the intended audience. There is much humor and plenty of adventure at every turn of the page, with each added letter.
Kids will obey the commands without hesitation, and take great delight in seeing the interpretation provided on page after page. Imaginative, full of charm and delight, it will become a favorite for many.
Don't miss the back cover, or the endpapers!
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