A-Hunting We Will Go! - Softcover

Steven Kellogg is the illustrator of over eighty picture books for children, including his own retellings of Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, which School Library Journal declared "one of Kellogg's best books," and Pecos Bill, which Booklist called "a read-aloud treat for the family or classroom."Mr. Kellogg is also the author of Chicken Little, which Booklist said was "one of Kellogg's best efforts to date...a winner every child will like," and Aster Aardvark's Alphabet Adventures, which Kirkus said was "an ingenious alliterative tour-de-farce, perfect accompaniment to the author's zany illustrations.Just try keeping a straight face as you read this aloud."

Steven Kellogg lives in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Kellogg's characteristically buoyant art is the most satisfying aspect of this high-spirited bedtime romp. When their parents tell them that it's almost time for bed, a cherubic brother and sister and two polar bear sidekicks launch into a rendition of this traditional song. After a few lilting verses in which an assortment of animal colleagues join the foursome, and all brave a waterfall in a boat, the narrative's rhythm falters as the author breaks from the familiar cadence of the tune. In calmer waters, the crew sings out "A-reading we will go! A-reading we will go!" as they entertain a pod of whales with a book. After taking a bath, the kids and their pals go "a-brushing," "pajamming" and finally "a-hugging," bidding goodnight to their parents before climbing into bed with their good-natured menagerie. Endpapers present the musical score for this song, yet Kellogg's improvisations make it difficult to sing along smoothly. Although those trying to read aloud may stumble, preschool listeners aren't likely to care, given the verses' playful rhyme and the ample diversion of the jovial graphics (as when whales dive underwater into human beds; a child uses "goose shampoose" to lather up the waterfowl). Adding to the visual fun, the book's playful design introduces a variety of type sizes and attributes portions of the text (in cartoon balloons) to the cheerful, sleep-fighting siblings. Ages 2-up.
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