Full Moon Barnyard Dance [Hardcover]

Carole Lexa Schaefer (Author), Christine Davenier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2003 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Come billy-bob the bebop and slink-slank a samba! An infectiously rhythmic read-aloud pairs up with charming illustrations, inviting us to step lively - and enjoy our differences.


"What a moo-oon," crooned the cow beside the barn.
"Maa-agnificent night," bleated a goat in the grass.

It’s the night of the full moon, and the barnyard animals just can’t settle down. Pig declares it’s a fine night for a snufflin’ big dance, and two by two the animals sashay down to the pond to jig and fandango under the round moon. But when the bumptious clouds blow across, and the revelers dance on in the dark, a mix-up ensues - a tangle! Will the unexpected muddle turn out to be unexpectedly . . . wonderful?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Frog and the crickets are singing, the moon is full, and the barnyard animals can't sleep. Deciding that a dance down by the pond would be enjoyable, they line up two by two-a rather festive Noah's Ark-like procession-by their own kind. The creatures fandango and be-bop and jig to their hearts' content. Clouds cover the moon and it becomes difficult for the animals to see their dancing partners, but the partying continues. Once the sky clears and the night is bright again, the critters are dismayed to find they're swinging and swaying with different companions. Frog suggests that the dancing continue with the new partners, and it does. The walk back to the barnyard at the close of the evening reveals a much-different procession, one in which the species are intermingled and fast becoming friends. Double-page, soft, flowing ink-and-watercolor paintings deftly illustrate the farm critters and their night's festivities, and the text has a rhythm all its own. An entertaining tale with a gentle moral: mixing things up a bit can add to the fun.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Carole Lexa Schaefer is the author of many acclaimed picture books for children, including the award-winning DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, illustrated by Vanessa Cabban, and ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, illustrated by Pierr Morgan. Carole Lexa Schaefer has a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Washington. She founded and is director of a preschool in Seattle.

Christine Davenier has illustrated or contributed to several books for children, including MABEL DANCING by Amy Hest and IN EVERY TINY GRAIN OF SAND: A CHILD'S BOOK OF PRAY'ERS AND PRAISE, edited by Reeve Lindbergh. Christine Davenier lives in Paris.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; First Edition edition (August 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763618780
• ISBN-13: 978-0763618780
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,312,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I really wanted to love this book..., June 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Full Moon Barnyard Dance (Hardcover)

After reading the editorial review, I thought this would be an entertaining, rhyming book for my 3 yr old (similar to "Piggies in a Polka" by Kathi Appelt). But...

I've read it several times now and just when you've found the rhyme, it evaporates. The awkwardness of the text really impedes the storyline and some editing is warranted. The story tries to flow, but gets caught in the muck of the barnyard. This could mostly be forgiven with great illustrations, but the soft, washed-out water colours with their many "black outlines" are busy and don't do justice to the subject; it's a limited colour palette that tries to aspire to the likes of Ian Falconer's Olivia, but falls short. My child lost interest after the second page.