THE HOUSE THAT ZACK BUILT

A new version of a beloved classic.

In this version of the traditional English nursery rhyme, Zack is building a house out of blocks when mayhem ensues. A fluttering fly is the culprit. It buzzes over, which attracts the cat, who spills some cream, which falls on the dog, who upsets the lambs, and all together this creates a terrible mess on the farm! What can Zack do to save the day? And with all of this going on, will he ever be able to finish building his house? While the cumulative nature of the rhyme is somewhat lost as each new character is introduced, the rhymes are fresh and new and work nearly as well as those in the original. Young listeners will enjoy each crisp, bouncing line as they examine the carefully selected details in the warm, appealing, and colorful depictions of each action-packed segment of the whole event. Murray’s digital illustrations feature crisp, pastel backgrounds whose geometricity evokes Esphyr Slobodkina. Human and animal characters created with loose, flowing lines are an effective counterpoint.

Perfect for giggling and sharing and right on target for lap-time reading.