Over in the Meadow [Hardcover]

Jan Thornhill (Adapter)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Everyday objects become a magical world when Jan Thornhill brings her trademark ingenuity and stunning artwork to a well-loved 19th-century rhyme. A forest of broccoli, a beaver dam of pretzels, a dragonfly with paper-clip wings — who would have thought twist-ties and garden gloves could be so delightful? Young readers learn about counting, rhyming, and nature as they pick out everyday objects from ingenious, digitally enhanced illustrations. Pages at the end of the book show the original elements used in the creation of the images, encouraging readers to go back and play "I spy." The lyrical, singsong cadence of Olive Wadsworth's classic rhyme makes this a perfect story for reading aloud.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 - A surprisingly fresh and original take on an old favorite. The illustrations were "created on a computer using photographs of everyday objects" and nothing in this jump-out-at-you, colorful book is what it seems. Distant trees are made from broccoli, a nest is constructed out of shoelaces, butterflies have wings made from leaves and decorated with fried eggs, and a beaver dam is built out of pretzels. Like the "I Spy" books (Scholastic), this is a rainy-day, snowy-day, everyday book that young readers will love poring over. The page layout includes a bright bubble floating on one side with the text in a creative, multicolored font. The author takes a few liberties with the traditional verses, e.g., "Over in the meadow/by a cozy wee den,/ Lived an old mother beaver/and her little beavers ten./ 'Beave!' said the mother./ 'We beave!' said the 10./So they beaved all day/by their cozy wee den." Children will be too busy looking at the pictures to worry too much about what "beaving" is. To avoid the inevitable quarrels over what's a lime and what's an avocado, Thornhill provides clues on the final pages with photos and identifications of the items used. Youngsters will find it impossible to peel their eyes off the pages of this imaginative book. - Susan Weitz, Spencer-Van Etten Schools, Spencer, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"…a counting book full of surprises. Fans of the Eye Spy series will have a feast identifying the materials used to make this counting rhyme come alive."
— Canadian Bookseller

"Thornhill’s highly original method of illustration has transformed this old rhyme into a fresh visual feast."
— Quill & Quire

"What a wonderful visual experience!"
— Resource Links

"A surprisingly fresh and original take on an old favorite...Youngsters will find it impossible to peel their eyes off the pages of this imaginative book."
— School Library Journal

"Jan Thornhill uses this familiar rhyme to draw children in, mesmerizing them with color, texture and shape."
— Today’s Parent

Canadian Children's Book Centre, Our Choice Selection, 2005, Canada – Commended
Resource Links, Best of the Year, 2004, Canada – Commended

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (June 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897066082
• ISBN-13: 978-1897066089
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,546,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational Seek and Find Book!, December 6, 2011

By 

LadyD "San Diego" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over in the Meadow (Hardcover)

Not only is the book educational in teaching little ones about rhyming and counting but children will delight in "seeking and finding" baby animals, plus discovering many familiar items incorporated in beautiful, illustrated photographs. I liked Jan Thornhill's unique and imaginative approach to a familiar, favorite story. A vibrant, delightful 'feast to the eyes' (from slippers to brown sugar) and fun time for every preschooler.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book...A bedtime favorite!, October 21, 2010

By 

jgumby23 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Over in the Meadow (Hardcover)

My son loves this book. I sing it to him. Each time before we read, we pick something to look for in the illustrations. This book never gets old because there are so many angles to take when reading it (numbers, rhymes, animals, Ispy pictures, etc.) Just be prepared to hide this book on those nights you don't feel like crooning : )

5.0 out of 5 stars my little readers couldn't put it down, November 4, 2006

By 

L. B. Nilsson "preschool teacher" (Medina, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Over in the Meadow (Hardcover)

What a clever and engaging book! My preschoolers looked at it over and over, always discovering something new. I am recommending it to my parents on my Christmas suggestion list.