"What's new?" asked the Gnu

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Budding rhymesters, gagsters and other-ster youngsters will do well to check out this beguiling batch of banter. On each of the action-filled spreads, the inquisitive Gnu asks, ``What's new?'' and is answered by three pals: "`I rowed a boat,' said the Goat''; "`I pulled a wagon,' said the Dragon.'' Each spread contains its own scenario-the wagon and the boat belong to a bucolic landscape; a cow who ``took a bow'' is among the merrymakers at a fair; and outside a snow-covered house, "`I fixed a hole,' said the Mole.'' Separate pop-ups and pull-tabs for each character's responses add up to lively pages-a laughing Giraffe rocks back and forth, a Frog really does fall off a log, etc. Paris's cheery illustrations abound with details, helping to make this sporty book particularly gnifty gnus. Ages 2-6. (June)