March 15, 2024
A rousin', shantylike ditty, slightly shortened and enthusiastically illustrated. This traditional Irish song is a cumulative rhyme (like "The Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly") that encourages readers to join in. The stanzas tell a story that comes full circle. We're introduced to a "rattlin' bog," which is in the valley (naturally). In the bog, there's a tree; on the tree, there's a branch; on the branch, there's a nest; in the nest, there's an egg; in the egg, there's a bird; in the bird, there's a seed; and in the seed, there's a tree. Backmatter provides information on Irish bogs and their ecological importance, especially in light of climate change, as well as how an egg becomes a bird and a seed a tree. A host of colorful, stylized insects, birds, and plants fill the pages. The Irish hare, common lizard, dragonfly, and a few examples of vegetation are detailed in the backmatter (which, alas, also conflates climate and weather), but many more creatures and plants appear in the vibrant illustrations, although none are labeled. Unobtrusive identification could have enriched the science component here, especially for older audiences. Still, the jaunty verse is sure to have readers chanting along, and the visuals are eye-catching. The central bird is artistically designed, its egg flaunting a dynamic motif. Music and lyrics are appended, along with a QR code to an audio version performed by the Speks. Sure to spur a raucous singalong. (Picture book. 3-7)
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January 1, 2024
Adapted from a cumulative Irish folk song, this picture book is also a delightful science lesson about the flora and fauna found in bogs. Technicolor, woodcut-inspired illustrations follow a "rattlin' bird" in a "rattlin' tree" through the "rattlin' bog." Back matter provides facts about bogs and the life cycle of birds and trees, as well as sheet music for "The Rattlin' Bog."
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)