Shout! Shout It Out!

January 10, 2011
Like an exuberant, slightly older sibling to The Everything Book, Fleming's latest concept book invites preschoolers to show what they know by shouting it out. Mouse, a recurring critter in the author's works, seems to have infiltrated a preschool class. Against speckled backgrounds of brilliant pink, orange, green, and purple, Mouse scampers through zippy images of numbers, letters, colors, animals, and modes of transportation. On each spread, exuberant, multiethnic children—mouths open wide—appear to yell out the names of the featured objects, visually encouraging readers to do the same (and make no mistake: there will be shouting). Fleming brings a new dimension to her signature pulp-painting technique, using swatches of patterned paper collage and marker accents on her figures. The approach gives everyone more prominent features and allows the kids to be portrayed in joyous full bellow. Children just learning their colors, animals, and ABCs will be invigorated, and those who have already mastered these basics will still enjoy the top-of-their-lungs review—as well as Mouse's asides along the way. Ages 2–6.

February 15, 2011
In a similar vein to The Everything Book (2000), Fleming papers her pages with standard elements in preschool curricula and encourages kids to shout out what they know. Beginning with numbers, she moves on to letters and colors, presented as balloons. Names of common pets, farm animals and modes of transportation round out the text. Throughout it all, an amusing little mouse provides some comic relief and gives young children the opportunity to scour the illustrations to find him. One of the final pages presents all the letters, numbers and words on a single spread, allowing "mouse" to show off all that he knows. Labels in a simple type encourage children to make the connection between the pictures and the writing. Filled with vibrant colors and patterns, Fleming's illustrations are peopled with a multicultural cast of rosy-cheeked, wide-eyed preschoolers with huge mouths open wide to shout. Created by pulp painting, which is a method of making paper by pouring colored fibers through stencils, here complemented by paper collage and a variety of drawing media, the artwork begs return examination. From the opening sentences to the mouse's bow at the end, this has storytime written all over it: "Everybody loves to shout. So, if you know it, SHOUT it out! Ready. Set. GO!" (Picture book. 2-6)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

February 1, 2011

PreS-K-A small mouse leads readers through an exuberant review of basic concepts. "Everybody loves to shout. So, if you know it, SHOUT it out! Ready. Set. Go!" Children will be only too happy to comply: numbers 1 to 10, the alphabet, colors, names of animals, and modes of transportation are enthusiastically presented. The colors chosen to make up the backgrounds on the spreads vibrate with energy, and the children are painted open-mouthed in mid-yell. Pulp painting with accents of pastel pencil, china marker, colored india inks, and patterned paper collage create their own energy. Fleming's wild shades and patterns add to the fun of simply letting loose and encourage children to show off what they know. This book will help give confidence to reticent children and add liveliness to storytimes. It makes a great companion to Fleming's The Everything Book (Holt, 2000) and will be requested time and again.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2011
Preschool-G A teacher invites her young charges to shout out their knowledge of numbers, the alphabet, colors, animal names, and basic vehicles in this vibrant picture book. As wide-mouthed children gleefully scream out everything they know, Mouse quietly adds his own commentary to the mix: to a sheep, I like your bow. To a bus driver, Wait for me! Finally, when called upon, Mouse articulates (in clearly audible but not ear-shattering tones) everything he has just learned, earning an appreciative Well done! from the teacher. Flemings signature stylebrightly colored mixed-media artworkis well suited to the exuberant text. Mouse provides an important contrast to the otherwise raucous story line, and children will enjoy searching for him in every spread. Paired with Keith Bakers LMNO Peas (2010), Nick Bruels Bad Kitty (2005), or Bill Martins Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (1989), this is sure to become a staple for concept-themed story hours.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)