cover image Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!: A Day on the Farm

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!: A Day on the Farm

Venice Shone. Scholastic, $9.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-590-45425-4

Shone's ( Wheels ; Tools ) latest picture book is a cheerful call to rise and shine. Through matter-of-fact text and delicate watercolors, children are introduced to the various ways farm animals spend their days. The friendly-looking though not cartoonish beasts seem to take great pleasure in just being themselves. Hens and geese peck at feed in the yard, pink-hued pigs wallow in the mud, and lambs enjoy a playful romp ``high on the hill.'' Though short on drama, the story is slightly more sophisticated than many titles in the barnyard genre, which tend to focus on animal sounds and basic identification. Children, who are all too familiar with daily schedules--naptime, playtime, bedtime--will appreciate this glimpse of some of the animals's similar rituals. An unfortunate jacket design does little to convey the charm of the inside artwork; however, the selection as a whole is something to crow about. Ages 3-6. (Mar.)