________________ CM . . . . Volume III Number 18 . . . . May 9, 1997

cover Muddle Cuddle.

Laural Dee Gugler. Illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen.
Willowdale, ON: Annick Press, l997. 24 pp., paper, $6.95.
ISBN 1-55037-434-6.

Subject Headings:
Children's poetry, Canadian (English).
Toys-Juvenile poetry.
Animals-Juvenile poetry.
Hugging-Juvenile poetry.

Preschool - grade 3 / Ages 3 - 8.
Review by Donalee Moulton.

*** /4

image Muddle Cuddle is as ticklish a book as it sounds. Building on the wonder of sound, nonsense and rhyme author Laurel Dee Gugler explores what happens when a variety of pets, toys and toddlers all clamor to sit on Dad's lap simultaneously. The result, quite frankly, is a lapful of fun and frolic. For example, when the rooster comes a struttin' through 'He wants to crow and snuggle, with a cockadoodle cuddle, a cockadoodle cuddle on your lap.' With each addition to Dad's lap -- kitty, clown, twins, to name but a few -- the rhyme scheme grows along with the chaos until finally there's a 'comfy cozy, furry purry, giggle tickle, happy daddy, double trouble, cockadoodle, gr-r-reat gr-r-rowly, swirly curly, jumble muddle cuddle' that all comes a tumbling down. The language is evocative and silly, designed to produce giggles, guffaws and belly laughs. But it also is ideal for parents and kids reading out loud to use as a learning tool. Here are the sounds certain animals make. Can you make them? Complementing the vibrant, enthusiastic text is an equally vibrant and enthusiastic set of illustrations. Illustrator Vlasta van Kampen uses bold, primary colors to bring the story to life.

Recommended.

Donalee Moulton, Halifax, Nova Scotia .

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © 1997 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - May 9, 1997.

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