Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.Įchoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.Įach sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway-the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty. Thermes’ watercolor art, both full-page and spot, is bright and inviting, highlighting the contrast in size between the animals.Ī good title to share when talking about death with children. His narrative features short sentences and frequent conversations between the animals. Skofield’s writing is tender and, with adult guidance, accessible to young readers who may be dealing with the death of an elderly loved one. A new friendship emerges as Bird shows Bear’s granddaughter the way to the best berries. The granddaughter bear helps Bird through his grief by encouraging him to remember the good times that they shared.

Instead, he finds Bear’s granddaughter, who explains to him that Bear has died.

Sadly, Bird migrates south, and when he returns, he cannot find Bear. And so it goes for a few years, but then age begins to catch up with Bear. They are sad when Bird flies off for the winter, but Bear hibernates, and come spring, their friendship resumes. Old Bear and baby Bird become close friends.Īfter Bear returns unsuccessful fledgling Bird to his nest, they forge a friendship based on a strong commitment to helping each other find the best berries and avoid hunters.

Jasper creepy crayon