LOW SONG

Merriam (Where's That Cat, 2000, etc.) has a poet's gift for the sort of lively language play that delights young children with just a few well-chosen words, such as "Heels / Wheels / Flippery seals and slippery eels." This playful poem, originally published in 1962, functions as a concept book about actions, animals, and objects found on or near the ground, at just the right height for children to observe with all their senses. Some of the choices are obvious (pebbles and shells), while others are more subtle, such as the smell of flowers or a new moon on the horizon. The rhyming couplets of the poem are skillfully integrated into cheery full-page or double-spread illustrations of chubby-cheeked children and amusing animals: a dachshund, a cow-licking clover, and a giraffe (curled up sleeping and thus showing how even a tall animal can be part of the "low" concept). Paparone (Fire Fighters, 1999, etc.) uses a bright palette of crayon colors and injects lots of humorous details into her thoughtfully composed illustrations. The rich language, rhyme, and rhythm of the text make this an engaging story for preschoolers and a logical choice for new readers too, who might try writing their own "High Song" sequels. (Picture book. 3-6)