Look and Listen: Who's in the Garden, Meadow, Brook?

PreS-Gr 1--Simple rhyming text invites young readers to observe the many wonders of the natural world. Animals are shown as they buzz around flowers, hop across meadows, rest alongside a brook, or swim in their watery home. Specific types of bees, butterflies, rabbits, swallows, deer, frogs, dragonflies, frogs, and minnows are among the creatures depicted, with the back matter providing further information on these animals as well as clear definitions of the terms meadow, garden, and brook. The question-and-answer format of the book is well suited to the intended audience, with some children able to use the rhyme scheme to predict the animal revealed on the following page. "Who's that buzzing? Listen. See./ A fuzzy, YELLOW busy...Bee." The gloriously colorful artwork evokes a perfect summer day in the country and reminds us to use all our senses to notice and appreciate the signs of life that surround us. VERDICT A lovely companion book for families planning a nature walk or hike and an excellent curriculum resource for preschool and primary grades.--Gloria Koster