Oink-A-Doodle-Moo (review)

"Psst," the pig on a farm tells the rooster, "I have a secret." The pig's secret is "Oink," which the rooster passes on to the cow as "Oink-a-doodle-doo. Pass it on." The cow, of course, throws a "moo" on the end of that when relaying it to the frog, and so on, until the cat asks the dog, "Are you sure you're ready?" before launching into the now-lengthy litany: "Hee-haw-oink-baa-quack-caw-ribbit-hiss-neigh-meow-moo-hoo-squeak." Is it any wonder the dog gulps nervously when told to "pass it on"? He tries to tell it to the pig ("Oink-a . . . Um, uh . . . Ribbitquack . . . hiss-something-something moo") but soon confesses, "I can't do it," to which the pig responds, "Don't worry . . . we'll just start over!" Yes, this is a pretty much a one-note joke extended into picture-book length, but it's one that young kids will heartily enjoy, and the ever-upping ante of animal sounds will both amuse and challenge them. Czekaj's cartoonist skills are evident here, as the illustrations—with their flat colors, black outlines, and slightly exaggerated animals—have a definite comic sensibility. The simple compositions, dynamic posed animals, bright colors, and large word bubbles will make this as successful with larger groups as it will be with an audience of a few. Possible uses abound, from putting it into the line-up of a farm-themed storytime, to introducing kids to the listening/memory challenge of the game "Telephone," to a possible transformation into an introductory readers' theater performance or puppet show.