Okay, everybody, repeat after me:
She sells sea shells at the seashore.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Tongue warmed up? Then you’re ready for Emily Jenkins’ newest book, A Greyhound, A Groundhog, illustrated by Chris Appelhaus (Schwartz & Wade Books).
I haven’t had this much fun reading trying to read a book aloud in a long time. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, I should mention Jenkins’ dedication, in which she gives credit to Ruth Krauss and her A Very Special House, for “inspiration and rhythm.”
Note to self: Watch for great old books at garage sales.
Here’s the publisher’s synopsis:
“When a greyhound meets a groundhog, wordplay and crazy antics ensue. The two animals, much like kids, work themselves into a frenzy as they whirl around and around one another. (Around, round hound. Around, groundhog!) The pace picks up (Around and around and astound and astound!), until they ultimately wear themselves out.”
I was serious about warming up your tongue muscles. This story is a read aloud challenge! Oh, it doesn’t start out that way. The beginning is easy:
A hound. A round hound. [He’s curled up sleeping.]
A greyhound.
Then we meet the groundhog:
A hog. A round hog.
A groundhog.
Art ©Chris Appelhaus
The lines grow in complexity, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. So just when you’re galloping along, getting all full of yourself – “What’s so hard about this?” – you encounter the spread that turns you inside out and is nearly impossible to read right the first time. (I can hear you now, all “Pfft. Bet I could do it.” Ha. I’d love to see/hear you try.)
In short, Jenkins reveals herself a master of wordplay in this one. What a blast it must have been to write! A headache, at times, but a blast nonetheless.
I savored every one of Chris Appelhaus’ watercolor spreads, too. He keeps the focus on the two characters brilliantly, yet you’re totally drawn into their flower-and-butterfly-strewn world. He manages to add a frenetic joy to the characters’ mad around-and-around romp that makes you want to run right after them.
A Greyhound, A Groundhog is gathering starred reviews left and right. Well-deserved!
Let this one serve as a reminder to all of us who WORK to wrestle words into submission for kiddos: Remember the importance of PLAY!
Jill
Sounds like fun. I’ll have to get a copy and see if I can tackle it.
Good luck, Cindy! 😉
Sounds like a celebration of words!
Great way to put it, Terri.
Would love to give this a read!
Do! It’s a lot of fun, Ann.
I adore word play and I was born on Groundhog’s Day. I am going to find this book. And Jill, you are os correct, we must fins the play in our work for all to enjoy it. TY for spotlighting this book.
You’re very welcome, Kathy. My grandson turns ONE on Groundhog’s Day! 🙂
The language and the art of this book just leap off the page!
I agree, Kim! It’s irresistible!
I love clever word play. I just put in an order at my library and I cant wait to read it.
Oh, good! And good luck getting it right the first time, David! 🙂
I’ll look for this one Jill! Sounds so fun to read. Thanks for another great post.
You’re very welcome, Dorothia!
What a tempting write-up! I can’t wait to read the book and hear the giggles from the kiddos!
If I read it to kids, the laughing would be because of my flubs. But that’s half the fun, right?
I saw this on a list of 2017 releases and new from the title how clever it must be! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
You’ll love it, Amanda!
Just read & enjoyed it. It will be a romping read aloud 🙂
Definitely, Maria!
How fun! Looking forward to reading it.
You’ll enjoy it, Danielle. So fun!
I’m so intrigued! I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the post.
You’re welcome, Kris. Yes, definitely get a look at this one. You’ll be glad you did.
So much fun to read!
Yeah. Pretty hard to remain straight-faced when you’re stumbling all over the place!
My curiosity is piqued! This sounds like a must-read, and I’m up for the challenge of the challenging spread you mentioned. Thank goodness this is library day! I can see if I can check out this book. Wait… Every day is library day.
Haha. So true, Leslie! Let me know how you do. 🙂
It’s so dang cute. I just returned from my residency at Hamline MFAC where Emily read and discussed it, and I brought home a copy. Go get it!
Cool! Would’ve loved to hear that, Lisa!
Why can’t I think of cool ideas like this?! Sounds fantastic—I must find a copy soon.
I have to admit, that crossed my mind, too, Debra! 🙂
This looks so fun and clever! Just put a hold on it. Thanks, Jill.
You’ll have fun with it, Linda!
So fun! I want to read it aloud. I love the soft, painterly illustrations. They have so much warmth and character.
Yes! Those illustrations make me all melty inside. 😉
I’ve just read this one; alas, not aloud, as I was by myself in the kids’ section of a bookshop. Even read silently, this is a fun book. Thanks for sharing!
So tricky, yet so addicting, you can’t just close the book and give up.
I read this just last week! It’s a ton of fun!
I can almost hear your Southernness as I imagine you reading it aloud, Penny. That would make me like it even better. 🙂
What fun this would be to read aloud to preschoolers!
Yes, they’d definitely be little giggle buns!
This looks so fabulous, Jill — both in the writing and the illustrations. Thanks for the wonderful introduction!
You’re welcome, Eliza!
This book looks terrific — thanks so much for this great post!
You’re welcome, Miriam!
Sounds so cute. I’ll have to look for it. Thanks!
Hope you like it, Tina!
At the bookstore, yesterday, I sat with a tall stack of books and sure enough it included A GREYHOUND, A GROUNDHOG. Thank you, Jill, for featuring such a fun, whimsical book filled with wordplay.
You’re welcome, Suzy! Made me want to try it myself. But yikes, what a tangle!
You’ve got my curiosity going. I need to read this.
Ha. Good! Hope you enjoy it, Janet!
Thank you, Jill! My grandkids and I LOVE word play! Can’t wait to read this one!
Oh, good! You’ll get a lot of laugh mileage out of this one, Mary. 🙂
This sounds delightful! And I always applaud authors who are able to bounce around categories and levels so seamlessly. I love her MG and YA work and her picture books have been such fun!
She’s pretty amazing, Denise. My fave of her YAs is We Were Liars. Brilliant!
I bought We Were Liars for my oldest son, looks like this book will be a blast for my youngest (although I think his older brother and sister will want in). Looks like a fun read!
I sure thought so, Jean! 🙂
What fun to play with words. You’re right, reading is silently is completely different that saying the words. Here come the giggles.
🙂