Cindy Moo

A determined cow thinks outside the box to prove that she can jump over the moon in this bouncy barnyard rhyme. When Cindy Moo overhears the beloved nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle" and its line about a certain cow's antics, she is not about to be outdone. "If that cow could jump the moon, / by golly, I can too," Cindy--who, despite being a cow, is a ham through and through--tells her skeptical fellow bovines. Two attempts prove discouraging, but the moon's nighttime reflection in a rain puddle gives Cindy a new, successful strategy. Underneath its silliness, Mortensen's (Come See the Earth Turn) energetic verse offers readers a can-do message about finding different ways of looking at a challenge. Mack's (Mr. Duck Means Business) fuzzy cows have comically bulging eyes to observe all the action, and Cindy's creamy brown-and-white spots, pink bow, and expressive poses set her apart as the star of the show. The nocturnal scenes are fittingly lit with a crisp, shimmery moon glow. Ages 3-7. Agent: Kendra Marcus, BookStop Literary. Illustrator's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, East West Literary Agency. (May)

PreS--When Cindy Moo and the other cows on Diddle Farm overhear the familiar nursery rhyme, they begin a discussion on the possibility of a cow jumping over the moon. Only Cindy Moo believes she can do it. After several attempts, a rainstorm, and the resulting puddles, she proves that with the right know-how, a cow can indeed jump over the moon. Excitement rhythmically rises and falls with each of Cindy's unsuccessful jumps. Success unites the herd "whenever rain clouds pass their way/and it is growing late, /they gaze upon that puddled moon/and jump it two by two." Night-blue skies sparkle with stars, and luminous landscapes are home to Cindy Moo and her fluffy stuffed-animal-like herd. Both rhyme and pictures will appeal to toddlers and young preschoolers. Great for bedtime sharing.--Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH