THE ENORMOUS CARROT

Turnips are out, carrots are in—at least in this adaptation of the classic Russian folktale and in Jan Peck's The Giant Carrot (1997). Vagin begins with Daisy and Floyd, a pair of gardening bunnies who one day discover an enormous carrot serendipitously springing up among the hollyhocks and sunflowers. The duo attempts to pull the carrot out, ``but the carrot stayed put. It wouldn't come out.'' All their farmyard friends happen by, joining in the exercise of removing the enormous carrot. While the text is unembellished, the pictures provide visual fanfare—animals tumble topsy-turvy, tangled in the carrot's green top after tugging all day long. Their success results in a carrot banquet, complete with ice cream, salad, soup, tart, cookies, and pie. The familiarity of plot and repetition of phrase will create eager anticipation in readers, while the large format, bright primary palette, and anthropomorphized animals will keep listeners involved from any spot in the room. (Picture book/folklore. 3-6)