HICKORY DICKORY DOCK

The familiar nursery rhyme gains new verses in this latest from Baker, who rounds out the rest of the mouse’s busy hours. When the clock strikes one, “it’s time for fun.” The little mouse echoes the actions of the many creatures that come by to interact with the clock: He sings along with the serenading bird; flies an airplane alongside the buzzing bees; and investigates the nibble marks inflicted on the clock by a hungry porcupine. Following the rhyme and rhythm scheme of the original perfectly, Baker gets around the difficulties of rhyming seven and eleven by changing the word order: “seven was struck.” The illustrations become increasingly somnambulistic as the hours creep toward midnight, when the moon wishes the mouse goodnight and sees him safely tucked into his bed. A great addition to the collection of “singing” books, with the added bonus of helping readers practice counting and time-telling skills. (Picture book. 3-7)