Little Poems for Tiny Ears

PreS—Oliver's collection of bite-size poetry offers all of the tongue-in-cheek humor that one would expect from the coauthor of the "Hank Zipzer" series (Penguin). The rhythmic verses address subjects of interest to preschoolers from nose to toes and are perfect for reading aloud alongside nursery rhymes in storytime or for one-on-one sharing. Occasional wordplay reminiscent of classic tongue twisters peppers the text, such as "I wonder why they [dogs] have wet noses./To sniff me better, I supposes." Adults will recognize universal childhood experiences, as one child roots through the kitchen drawer "To knock the pots and pans around/And throw dish towels on the ground" and another joyfully drops food from a high chair. dePaola's instantly recognizable acrylics present readers with a multiethnic cast of charming, cheerful children and provide further opportunity to discuss added details and concepts, including numbers, animals, and toys. Offer this title to the younger siblings of fans of Douglas Florian's poetry.—Sarah Westeren, Richland Library, Columbia, SC