The Moon in the Man

Children's Literature

The title lets us know to expect the unexpected from this book, and the text does deliver. These short, catchy rhymes focus on action, and readers are encouraged to use their bodies as well as their minds. Bouncing, jumping, clapping, tapping—children and adults alike are sure to have a hard time resisting this colorful, fun-loving book. From "Josephina Trampolina" with its recommended hand (or full-body) movements to "Five Cents, Ten Cents" with its upper-body motions, Elizabeth Honey's new book of nonsense rhymes is sure to have the whole family joining in! The movements can be done by children of all ages, and some rhymes, such as "Crazy Claps" with its hand movements, are sure to have them developing their own rhymes and motions. 2003, Allen & Unwin,
— Heidi Hauser Green

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-A fun, original collection of rhymes and fingerplays covering such child-friendly topics as mud pies and glitter glue. From counting rhymes ("Number Rhumba") to riddles ("I saw a giant dance on a wall/The sun went down, then he wasn't/there at all"), the poems are lyrical and offer opportunities to participate. Small sketches show the motions and the author's Web site provides further instruction. Sound effects abound, as in "Zac Zucchini/Drives a Lamborghini/Vroom varoom/Varoom vroom vroom" and the infectious "Snap pop pop/Pop pop snap/Dancing on/The bubble wrap." A gentle lullaby rounds out the collection. Bright, cartoon illustrations set against vibrant background pages bring the poems to life. This "bouncing-on-the-knee, joining-in, make-'em-laugh, happy times book of rhymes" is perfect for sharing at home or in storytime.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Children and caregivers who feel they've plumbed the pleasures of "Rockabye Baby," "Eeensy Weensy Spider," and all the other old chestnuts should fall with glad cries upon this effervescent gathering of original nursery poems and hand rhymes. From a "Bubble Wrap Rap"-"Snap pop pop / Pop pop snap / Dancing on / the bubble wrap . . . "-to "Crazy Claps," and "Wavy Waves," Honey proposes more than a dozen hand-clapping, finger-wriggling, foot-stomping winners. All are illustrated with bright, simply drawn cartoons, supplemented by occasional diagrams, and even a set of hilarious mini-videos on the publisher's Web site. And, for change of pace, there are several poems just for lap-sit reading, including some grin-inducing nonsense and a very tender lullaby. Children will be delighted to join in, and for adults, this all-too-brief import deserves to become as popular a choice for storytime breaks as Marc Brown's classic Play Rhymes collections. (Picture book/poetry. 6-8)