The Horn Book Guide

PRESCHOOL

Votaw, Carol

Waking Up Down Under

32 pp. | NorthWord | October, 2007 | Trade ISBN 978-1-55971-976-6 $15.95

(4) PS Illustrated by Susan Banta. Twelve animals native to Australia, six diurnal and six nocturnal, wake up and display a behavior particular to their species ("Wake up, fairy penguin, / Waddle from your nest..."). The illustrations feature overly cute animals and painted backgrounds that effectively reflect the changing light. The rhymes are singsongy and forced, but readers may glean some information; more descriptive and behavioral information is appended.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo