Bob [Hardcover]

Tracey Campbell Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

A rooster learns his sound(s)

Inspired by a pep talk from a cat, a rooster named Bob who's been spending his days merely clucking and never crowing flies the coop to find his true voice. Along the way, he meets many animals who teach him their sounds - but unfortunately not the one he's looking for. Away from the farm all night long, Bob is greeted early in the morning by just the right noise. It's dark by the time he gets back to the henhouse, and when a dangerous fox intrudes, Bob has an urgent reason to try his new crow before daybreak - but "cock-a-doodle-do" alone may not be enough to do the trick.

The tongue-in-cheek text and lively pictures will make this book a perfect story-time selection.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A rooster with a bit of an identity crisis takes center coop in this lighthearted picture book about the sounds various animals make. Bob the rooster has always clucked right along with the chickens he lives with. But when Henrietta the cat tells Bob he needs to learn how to crow in order to "wake up the girls every morning" he's thrown. Henrietta offers the only help she can and teaches Bob to meow. Further farm and countryside research results in Bob mimicking all manner of noises "Woof,... Moo... and Ribbet-Ribbet-Hop-Hop" among them. At last, he happens upon a bird that resembles him and learns to deliver a rousing "cock-a-doodle-do!" However, it's Bob's mastery of other animals' expressions that proves particularly handy when a fox comes slinking around. Pearson's (Where Does Joe Go?) kicky pencil-and-watercolor scenes give this simple barnyard tale a vibrant sense of sound and movement. Bob's black-and-white speckled plumage and flame-red cock's comb offers readers something to crow about. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-K-Bob has a problem. Living as he does among the chickens, all he can do is cluck. But Henrietta the cat sets him straight: "Bob.-You need to stop clucking and learn how to crow-.That's what roosters do." This advice sends him on a search among the animals of field and forest for one who will teach him to crow. Before he gets it right, Bob has learned to "meow-meow," "woof-wag," "ribbet-ribbet-hop-hop," "moooooo," and even "yum-yum-bugs" (a substitute for cud-chewing); but he finally meets Fred, a rooster who obliges with the proper lesson. Back in the henhouse, Bob is too excited to sleep, so he is wide awake when a fox comes in. His "cock-a-doodle-do" doesn't scare the villain, but the rest of his repertoire terrifies the intruder, particularly his "yum-yum-fox." From then on Bob wakes Henrietta and the girls each morning, either with "cock-a-doodle-do" or, if he feels like it, with "Meow-Woof Ribbet-Moooo Yum-Yum-Bugs!" The droll, repetitious text, perfect for reading aloud, is delightfully complemented by bright, lively watercolor illustrations. Soft, pastoral, rough-sketched backgrounds are offset by vivid animal renderings, with Bob's bold black-and-white speckles and red comb and wattles stealing the show. The younger crowd will love it.
Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (September 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374399573
• ISBN-13: 978-0374399573
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,267,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Preschoolers love this silly story, November 26, 2010

By 

AFConnors - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob (Paperback)

I don't know why there are so many stories about farm animals, and apparently a whole subgenre devoted to farm animals who make the wrong sounds for whatever reason, but this one really is funny. I teach preschoolers and they think it's hilarious when the rooster makes all the wrong animal sounds, and they love to make the noises too. They also love the funny illustrations.

5.0 out of 5 stars My two year old's favourite book, May 1, 2009

By 

K. Nguyen (Ottawa, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bob (Hardcover)

This is my two year old's favourite books. It's a great book for encouraging participation - my son loves to do all the animal noises. The story is simple and funny! Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely essential to any kid's library!, April 10, 2008

By 

JenHartnsoul - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bob (Paperback)

So cute! Bob hasn't learned to crow yet, so he leaves the farm to find out how. The lessons he learns away from the chicken coop prove invaluable upon his return. Fantastic, colorful, creative illustrations, a must-have for your 3 to 7 year old.