The Croaky Pokey!

PreS-Gr 1—Long's version of the traditional song features frogs sitting on a riverbank and on lily pads, eyeing a fly enticingly near. They put their various body parts in and out, waving them about and singing "Hop the Croaky Pokey/As we chase a fly around,/Right in the froggy's mouth!" One frog after another shoots out a bubble-gum pink tongue, but the smiling fly evades them. Frogs play trumpet, trombone, and harmonica as an alligator, a stork, and a turtle join the game. Spreads show the unsuccessful "WHAP!" of the frogs and the "Snap!" of the alligator and stork. Their expressions change from pleasant anticipation to exasperation as the fly circles blissfully out of reach. After putting their whole bodies in, they all try to get the fly, tying themselves up with their own tongues. A savvy fish leaps out of the water and gets it, "Right in the fishy's mouth!" which—as everyone knows—is what it's all about. Long's energetic illustrations are done in watercolor and colored pencil, and their cartoonish style adds to the fun. Pair this picture book with Lisa Wheeler's Hokey Pokey (Little, Brown, 2006) for an upbeat storytime.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN