Product Description

Called a "riotous story" by "Booklist" and named a Best Children's Book by "Redbook, " Westcott's hilarious twist on a favorite song is now available in a sturdy board book format perfect for little hands. Full color.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #183653 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Board book
• 22 pages

From Amazon.com

"Flies in the sugarbowl,
Shoo fly shoo.
Cats in the buttermilk,
Two by two.
Pigs in the parlor,
What'll I do?
Skip to my Lou,
My darling!"

Left to mind the farm while his parents go shopping, a little boy watches helplessly as the barnyard animals take over. Well, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Soon he's sharing in the hullabaloo, frolicking with the cows in the kitchen, the sheep in the bathtub, and the roosters in the pantry, helping to make a major mess. In the spirit of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond's If You Give a Pig a Pancake (the pigs in the parlor are even eating pancakes!), this lively adaptation of the well-loved song is guaranteed to perk up the dullest day. Nadine Bernard Westcott creates a riot of sounds, sights, and giggles for the young and old. As in her other song-to-book adaptations (including Peanut Butter and Jelly and I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly), the lyrics form most of the text, while Westcott's delightfully chaotic watercolors turn the simple song into a hilarious story. The small board book format is ideal for little hands (and teeth). Recommended use: Sing-along! (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly
Blithe and bucolic, Westcott's illustrations add considerable zip to the perennial song favorite. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- Exuberant artwork brings frolicsome fun to this adaptation of an old favorite, toe-tapping American folk song. Nothing could be easier than to tend the family farm--or so a young lad thinks as he is left alone on a warm, lazy afternoon. But upon discovering the total chaos of " . . .flies in the sugarbowl. . .cats in the buttermilk. . .pigs in the parlor" . . .what can he do? Solution: gather all the creatures together for a resounding chorus of "Skip to My Lou!" Suddenly noticing that the merry mayhem is exceeding their time limits, all pitch in to clean up the mess, and as mother and father return from town, they find everything in apple-pie order. "Phew!" Pastel cartoons reminiscent of James Stevenson (but in brighter hues) treat viewers to unbridled action, and the engaging verse corresponds appropriately on each double-page spread. An expertly executed picture book, this is one to be treasured for its pure fun. Youngsters will love it. --Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

be careful - may be wrong version
this is a great book, at least in it's original form. i first saw it in the doctor's office. our pediatrician says that it's his favorite kids' book. however, the 2 copies I received from amazon were a shorter version, only 24 pages. in this shorter version, the action ends abruptly with the house in a mess. in the real version (30 pages - the one that's advertised here) there is a final verse in which the animals hurriedly clean the house before the parents come home. make sure you get that one!

colorful, joyful telling
This is a great version of this classic song. A little boy is left in charge of his grandparents' farm and things begin to go wrong right away.

The layout encourages singing along though it's not necessary -- you and your kids will still enjoy these funny and colorful watercolor animals as they joyfully misbehave.

Fun, lively, colorful.

My children's (2 and 4 years) favorite book!
This is a wonderful book, fun for the whole family. Reading this book just won't do, we must sing it!

Our 2 year old constantly asks for her "pig-in-a-parla" (Pigs in the parlor) book. Our four year old has memorized the entire book and is absolutely thrilled to "read" it to her classmates and everyone who visits; her interest in learning to read has increased dramatically since we bought this book.

The illustrations are beautiful and engaging. You can't miss with this book - a wonderful gift for any young child.