cover image Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Holly Berry. NorthSouth, $14.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-1-55858-281-1

Berry's picture book debut treats readers to a rollicking good time down on the farm. This spirited rendition of the popular children's song stars Old MacDonald as a kindly, musically inclined father-figure to his animals. The familiar tune is energized by Berry's bordered pencil-and-watercolor compositions, which take up three-quarters of each spread. The remaining quarter-page contains the lyrics, in which the name of each successive creature--and a small drawing of it--and the EIEIO refrain are highlighted in bold, zippy type. Young readers will enjoy the added visual story line as the farmer presents each new animal with an instrument to play in a final foot-, hoof- and paw-stomping jamboree. Berry's warm hues and friendly faces buoy the all-join-in spirit. Ages 5-8. (Mar.)