Go Track A Yak! [Hardcover]

Tony Johnston (Author), Tim Raglin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)

Boo-hoo-hoo!

Baby hasn't a thing to eat. Mama and Papa don't know what to do.

POOF!

A witch appears. She knows what to do, but she's not telling. Not until Mama and Papa promise her her heart's desire! When the blubbering parents agree, the witch sends Papa on a quest for the only thing in the world that will save Baby -- yak juice.

Tony Johnston is at her rambunctious best as she goes trekking and tracking with Tim Raglin on this downright gleeful read-a-loud adventure to GO TRACK A YAK!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Zany pen-and-ink illustrations make a delightful accompaniment to Johnston's rambunctious text in this engaging picture book. Somewhere in the Himalayan Mountains, Mama and Papa shrilly bemoan their baby's stubborn refusal to eat. A witch materializes out of nowhere and instructs them to get some yak juice for the child. In exchange for this helpful advice, she expects her "heart's desire." ("She had no heart. She was a liar.") They impetuously agree, Papa successfully tracks a yak, and the infant grows fat and jolly on its milk. Eventually, the witch returns to collect her fee-"Give me the brat!"-but the loyal yak saves the day. Raglin uses perspective and space to good effect, which contributes considerably to the overall mood of the book. The art is finely detailed and imbued with personality. Repetitive key phrases crop up in big, boisterous typefaces throughout the story, begging for group participation. This fun-filled offering will make a sterling addition to most collections.
Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tony Johnston is the beloved author of more than one hundred books for young readers. Her numerous award-winning books include Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella illustrated by James Warhola, The Iguana Brothers illustrated by Mark Teague, and The Quilt Story illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Tony lives with her family in San Marino, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689837895
• ISBN-13: 978-0689837890
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,023,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My babies LOVE this book, October 22, 2005

By 

Alicia E. Avrach "Jared and Emm's Mommy" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Go Track A Yak! (Hardcover)

We got this book from the library, but I had to buy my own copy of it. My twin baby boys love it. They are only 5 1/2 months old and this is the first book I've read to them that they are very interested in. I make the "Boo Hoo Hoo" and "Trek Trek Trek" sounds to them all the time and they smile and laugh. Highly recommend as one of the first books to read to a baby, and probably through toddler age.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I promise this is a Very Very Silly book -Loving it!, November 11, 2004

By 

Kotori (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Go Track A Yak! (Hardcover)

Somewhere in an icy mountainous landscape, two silly parents are dispairing of their baby's refusal to eat anything - and are BOO-HOO-HOO!'ing loudly.
A small witch appears to gloat over knowing the solution & she doesn't have a lot of willpower bc the second they start their Boo-hoo-hoo! again she Shrieks STOP BLUBBERING & spills the beans - they need to go and track a yak bc yaks (milk) will stop the baby from starving.

The illustrations are fantastic and expressive, from the gloomy yak on the front cover to the dumpy little witch and goony kooky parents.

It is exceedingly silly, I promise you, and a delight to read aloud - especially if you specialise in crazy voices.
Your kids will shreik along and have great fun with the jolly text. Track a Yak!
Kotori 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Yakety-yak, May 6, 2011

By 

dilgerwords - See all my reviews

This review is from: Go Track A Yak! (Hardcover)

My 18-month old son loves this book more than me. I mean he loves it more than he loves me (his dad). He chants 'Trek, trek, trek!' at bedtime. I'm worried he's going to ask for a yak for his second birthday. Wonderful stuff.