FICTION

Say Hello Like This!

by Mary MURPHY
Say Hello Like This! illus. by author. 32p. Candlewick. Feb. 2014. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9780763669515.
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PreS-K—In this cheerful concept book, Murphy uses a mix of fun adjectives and noises to introduce children to animal sounds. "A dog hello is licky and loud…like this! bow-wow-wow-wow! A cat hello is prissy and proud…like this! purrrrrr…meow." Other animals include donkeys, chickens, frogs, and tiny beetles. Reminiscent of Lucy Cousins's style, the vibrant ink and watercolor illustrations with bold black outlines are eye-catching. Combined with spare, large-print text on ample white backgrounds and a lift-the-flap page layout, they pack undeniable child appeal. A sweet alternative to Maria Torres Cimarusti's Peek-a-Moo! (Dutton, 1998), this picture book would be a fun addition to noisy storytimes.—Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY
Each spread describes an animal's greeting ("A dog hello is licky and loud...") while half-page flaps reveal the sounds of their greeting: "like this! Bow-wow-wow-wow!" It all ends in an exuberant hullabaloo capped off with a hello "from you." Clean, digitally colored ink and watercolor illustrations make way for the simple concept, and the text's repetition encourages rousing participation from a read-along audience.
Reviewed by Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova , Jan 01, 2014

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