THE SQUEAKY DOOR
adapted by Margaret Read MacDonald & illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma
An inventive grandma, a noisy door and a bevy of barnyard animals provide the perfect ingredients for a rib-tickling tale in this adaptation of a Puerto Rican folksong from MacDonald. When Grandma tucks Little Boy in for the night, he assures her that he won’t be afraid. However, when the bedroom door squeaks closed, he gives a mighty shout of fright. Grandma’s attempts to soothe him results in pure mayhem—and fun for readers young and old. One by one, Grandma enlists the assistance of her four-footed friends, tucking them into bed with Little Boy for comfort. Just as she shuts the door on the increasingly crowded bedroom, a cacophony of human and animal shouts coincides with the squeak of the door. MacDonald provides plenty of repetition and opportunities for reader interaction, such as joining in with the kissing sounds and assorted critter noises. DePalma’s full-color illustrations highlight the hilarity, depicting the intrepid Grandma dutifully cleaning up and then dressing each animal in pajamas for bedtime. A true gem, this rollicking tale will become a storytime favorite. A historical note on the origins of the tale is included in the end page. (Picture book. 3-6)