cover image Day of Rhymes

Day of Rhymes

Sarah Pooley. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $11.95 (75pp) ISBN 978-0-394-89497-3

Vibrantly colored illustrations enliven this well-chosen collection of more than 50 childhood verses, including both traditional and newer selections. In an illustrative style reminiscent of the Ahlbergs, Pooley creates a friendly, multiracial cast of characters. The children demonstrate many of the rhymesincluding ""Incey Wincey Spider,'' ``This Little Piggy'' and ``The Wheels on the Bus''with accompanying clapping, hand or body motions, which will be helpful for adults. An personable menagerie provides more sparkle: a cat covers its ears during an enthusiastic chorus of ``I Scream, You Scream . . . ''; a dog wonders ``What about tails?'' as a group of children recite ``Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.'' The combination of familiar, well-loved rhymes and wonderfully animated pictures is irresistible. Ages 4-8. (March)