Down by the Cool of the Pool [Hardcover]

Tony Mitton (Author), Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

From the creators of Giraffes Can't Dance, Down By the Cool of the Pool is a sure-fire hit with fun, rhyming text, and zany illustrations.

There's flipping and flopping, splishing and splashing, wiggling and waggling down by the cool of the pool. Frog, Duck, Horse, Pig, and the rest of the gang dance and sing their way through this wacky, watery wonderful story told with a catchy rhyming text and bold, vibrant illustrations. The fun is positively infectious, and you just may find yourself dancing and singing along with Frog and his frolicking friends. Children will delight in this rollicking farmyard romp, an adventure in musical activity--perfect for the nonstop toddler.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The sun may be setting, but the wackiness is escalating on the shores of the farm pond. "Wheeeee!" proclaims a wide-eyed frog as it jet‚s into the air, "Can you dance like me?" A duck, a pig and a sheep are the first animals to rise to the challenge, and Mitton (Busy Boats), building up the momentum, begins by patterning their respective responses in cumulative verse. As more and more critters join in, each proud of its own inimitable style ("Playful Pony began to prance. Donkey drummed his hoofbeat dance"), Mitton shifts the narrative's structure to move the action resolutely forward toward a literally splashy climax, in which everyone falls in the water. Parker-Rees (Giraffes Can't Dance) ratchets up the goofiness of his kinetic watercolor cartoons by giving his animal stars the arm and leg extensions of ballerinas but the bodies of couch potatoes; their faces radiate an infectious silliness. The typography, too, enters into the spirit by shimmying and bouncing through the full-bleed spreads. Kids will likely want to dance or chant along; fortunately, the author and artist wind down the energy as effectively as they turn it up. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Down by the cool of the pool, Frog cries, "Wheeeee! Can you dance like me?" This is the invitation for a lively day by the water. Joining Frog are Duck, Pig, Sheep, Cat, Dog, Goat, Pony, Donkey, and Cow, all cavorting around the pond and each doing its own dance. This frolicking mass of animals eventually tumbles into the water with a mighty splash. Are they upset? No, they just turn the soaking into a party. This is an enjoyable summertime book, packed with delightful inhabitants and bright, energetic colors. Parker-Rees's spreads radiate the yellow heat of the sun, while the one picture with all the critters in the pool is done in a cooling blue. The often-alliterative descriptions of the animals sound wonderful, but can trip the unpracticed tongue. The rhyme and illustrations combine so joyfully that storytime listeners will want to get up and dance, too.
Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orchard (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439309158
• ISBN-13: 978-0439309158
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tony Mitton is a widely anthologized and popular children's poet, as well as a teacher and performing poet. His Royal Raps won the 1997 Nottinghamshire Libraries/Dillons Children's Book Award. The Red and White Spotted Handkerchief is the winner of the 2000 Smarties Prize. His recent collection of poetry, Plum, won the Publishers Weekly 2003 Cuffies Award for Best Book of Poetry. Tony teamed with illustrator Ant Parker on several books, including Dazzling Diggers, Roaring Rockets, and Terrific Trains. Tony lives in Cambridge, England with his family and his pet cat, Tiggy. Visit his website at www.tonymitton.co.uk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, May 27, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Down by the Cool of the Pool (Hardcover)

My 2-year-old daughter LOVES this book. I often find her in her room reading to herself, saying, "Frog goes, "Weee!" Duck goes, 'Flap!" Down by the cool of the pool!" She reads it 100 times a day, and makes me read it at least three times, too. I highly recommend it

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite, April 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Down by the Cool of the Pool (Hardcover)

My 2 year old daughter LOVES this book. She has almost memorized it word for word and has made up hand motions to go with it. It is a lively, adorable rhyme and the colorful illustrations are wonderful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!, June 28, 2006

By 

Jeanette Ryan "Jeannie" (Woodinville, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Down by the Cool of the Pool (Hardcover)

My 4 year old daughter is very picky about the books she likes, they have to be colorful and fun. This is one of her favorites. The bright fun story gets an A+ from her, this is her must read book everyday.