Clip-Clop (review)

Kindly Mr. Horse offers Cat a ride, and as he strides along—"Clip-clop, clippity-clop"—Dog, Pig, and Duck each clamber aboard as well. The crew begs Mr. Horse for a bit more speed, and he obliges ("But make sure you hold on TIGHT!" he warns), picking up the pace to a gallop. When the riders exclaim that they're falling off, a concerned Mr. Horse slams on the brakes, unintentionally launching the barnyard crew through the air—and, fortunately, into a cushioning haystack. What's the reaction of the abruptly grounded critters? "Again!" they all gleefully cry, and a patient Mr. Horse obliges. This playful narrative captures the affection and energy of a classic horsey-ride game, complete with sound effects and repeated phrases that beg for audience participation. Thick, soft black lines and streamlined compositions give the critters an oversized, cuddly-toy feel; while there are smiles aplenty on Mr. Horse's passengers, it's action rather than emotion that's important here, and Mr. Horse's appealingly gawky movements make the adventure apparent as well as humorous. It might be a bit tricky to negotiate the readaloud simultaneously with the playing of the game, but this will be absolutely perfect for acting out with stuffed animals and a gentle fall into bed, perhaps as a sequel to the gleeful but more chaotic flinging of Sarah Weeks' Overboard (BCCB 3/06).