Reviews

A followup to Brown's warmly embraced Finger Rhymes offers 14 games to play, performing the actions in jaunty poems that are illustrated by brightly colored and bouncy pictures of kids, kittens, snowmen and other major figures in children's lives. Nestled on a parent's lap, a toddler listens to the verses and imitates the gestures in sketches accompanying the lines. Hands whirling, fists forming circles, fingers pointing to eyes, etc., express the merriment in ``The Snowman'': ``Roll him and roll him until he is big./ Roll him until he is fat as a pig./ He has two eyes and a hat on his head./ He'll stand there all night,/While we go to bed.'' A caterpillar's metamorphosis, a bunny hop, goblins, fighting monkeys and other attractions add up to a fun fest. (26)

PreS-K Fourteen fingerplays (some familiar, some not) in picture book format. Each rhyme is illustrated with a colorful picture, with just enough detail to show what's happening. Some of the illustrations are sequential and provide good counting practice. There is also a small boxed drawing next to each line of the rhyme that shows the hand motions to use with the fingerplay. The pictures have the warm colors and friendly coziness which distinguish Brown's work, and they are sure to appeal to the very young audience at which he aims. This book will be useful in many ways, especially as a tool to encourage parents to share fingerplays with their children. Librarians will also find it helpful for toddler story hours. There are many beautifully illustrated Mother Goose picture books, but quality fingerplay books are rare. An attractive book that most libraries will want. Lauralyn Levesque, Pawtucket Public Library, R.I.