THE EVERYTHING BOOK

Beginning with a brilliantly colored rooster greeting the day in “Good Morning to You!” and concluding with a mother hen cuddling her chicks in “Good Night,” this compilation of rhymes, games, and learning will keep young readers busy from sunup to sundown. Fleming (Mama Cat Has Three Kittens, 1998, etc.) makes learning a fun, colorful experience. This eclectic collection encompasses virtually everything from preschool essentials, such as colors, shapes, and numbers, to fanciful nursery rhymes. There are traditional games for baby, including the finger game “Two Little Blackbirds” and the well-loved “Peekaboo!” Fleming’s signature color-drenched, pulp paintings help children identify an array of commonplace items baby sees in the course of the day: kitchen paraphernalia, favorite foods, and the multitude of tiny inhabitants of the backyard. Fleming’s unique medium consistently produces vividly hued, textured pictures that are fascinating to peruse. Throughout the book her artwork is laced with humor. The two-page spread Kitchen Toys has all the standards; spoon, pot, pan, with an added touch of whimsy—a kitten’s ears peeking out of the paper bag and a tot gleefully perched inside the large pot. Surprises await the turn of every page. In the counting section, the layout consists of the appropriate amount of eggs drawn next to the numeral and the word “egg” spelled out. However, get to number five and a quintet of baby crocodiles scurry away from their broken shells. It’s this unique combination of playfulness and learning that will keep young readers enthralled. Entertaining and educational, this is sure to please old fans and new. It truly has everything. (Picture book. 1-4)