Old MacDonald had a farm /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Old MacDonald had a farm, and on that farm he had a whole barnyard of irresistibly cute and uproariously funny animals. With an oink-oink here, and a moo-moo there, the song ends showing the most precious resident of all, a very young MacDonald!

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

PreS-K-A gray-haired, rosy-cheeked Old MacDonald starts off by introducing his young-looking wife, with "a kiss kiss here, and a kiss kiss there-." Then it's off to the fields, barn, and pond to meet his dog, sheep, horse, hens, goat, ducks, cow, and pig. There is no cumulative refrain until the very end, when after all the animal sounds comes a "Waa waa" that puzzles the animals and readers until a page turn reveals-lo and behold-"Old MacDonald had a baby. Ee-i-ee-i-o!" Cabrera's bright, splotchy illustrations follow the text, with full spreads devoted to each verse. Young children can read along easily enough and can probably add their own verses to the mix. Purchase if there is a need for another version of this classic ditty.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

As in If You're Happy and You Know It! (2001), Cabrera offers another sing-along nursery rhyme for babies and toddlers. Using thick black lines and bright colors to enhance her illustrations, she shows a farmer and his animals interacting on every exuberant double-page spread. Preschoolers will enjoy pointing out the barnyard creatures--among them, a horse, a cow, a goat, hens, sheep, pigs, and ducks--and chanting the sounds that the animals make. Even libraries that already have lots of versions of this song will want this one, especially since Cabrera frames the rhyme with a sweet surprise that fits right in with the story and the audience.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2008 Booklist

Horn Book Review

The text follows Old MacDonald as he makes his way through a routine workday, accompanied by his wife, dog, and assorted farm animals, each of whom makes a distinct impression. Perhaps the most important member of this rural family is the last--the smallest and most surprising. Nicely textured childlike paintings in bold hues illustrate the day's events. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Book Review

Eye-catching illustrations enliven a children's musical classic. A two-page aerial view shows rectangular farm plots of various sizes and colors, before we meet Old MacDonald, with abundant gray curls and rosy cheeks. A perky dog is always at his side. Cabrera's swirls and dabs of paint, besides covering a wide spectrum of colors, also give a three-dimensional appearance to her paintings. These show MacDonald rowing in a boat surrounded by quacking ducks, cradling a lamb while surveying his meadow of sheep, riding a horse, etc. After all the animals have a cacophonous reprise, MacDonald and his wife share one more verse, featuring . . . a baby! Nothing particularly original here, but a bright enticement to the very young to sing along, and learn about the farm animals. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Jane Cabrera is the author and illustrator of many beloved books for young children. Most of her books are inspired by favorite nursery rhymes and songs. She lives in England.