Rufus Butler Seder, Waddle! (Workman Publishing, 2009)If I'd written this review a month ago, I probably would have rated it lower. Waddle is the ultimate in gimmicky kids' books, using “scanimation” to animate its simple pictures. It's obvious a great deal more thought was put into the scanimation than the text here; there are a few places where the reader really has to stretch to get the rhythm to work, and I have no idea what the author was thinking when he came up with some of what I assume is supposed to be the onomatopoeia at the end of every second line (for example, “Can you stomp like an elephant? Boom boom thomp” makes perfect sense, but, um, “can you scamper like a bear? Bouncy bouncy play”...?). But we've had this one for a while now and the bean is still enchanted with the scanimation, so as far as gimmicks go, this one is workable. And since the Bean loves it and wants to read it (usually multiple times) at least four days a week, I kicked it up half a star. It is likely, however, to grate on the parent as much as it enchants the kid. ** ½ Waddle, illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder, is just about the cutest book I've seen in a long time. I brought it home for Rory, 18 months old, and she immediately feel in love. She couldn't wait to turn each page and act out the movements of all the animals."Can you STOMP like an elephant?"Yes she can!This is a new favorite and stays close by for when Rory is visiting.I'm off to get the complete set for our church's toddler room.
What do You think about Waddle! (2009)?
In color! The hummingbird is a bit hard to see but it still goes over really well with all ages.
—mickie
The kids love the pictures but I love how they are learning a variety of action verbs!!!
—Nick
My daughter loves (and I mean loves) this book.
—jemerick47
