HERE WE GO ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH

In a nursery song adaptation that’s meant to be sung aloud, a little pig tells about his first day at Mulberry School. The shy new student is just waiting for the end of the day when he can go home and get away from everyone. His day isn’t going well: his tower of blocks falls down, he gets wet at the water table, and he hides while everyone else plays tag at recess. But it’s there behind the mulberry bush that he meets a new friend who’s been feeling the same way. Together, the two enjoy the rest of the day, look forward to learning new things, and wonder at how quickly the first day flew by. The traditional song, with its repetition, makes this a difficult read-loud—it really must be sung. But complicating this is the fact that not all the rhythms fit the original song. Hillenbrand’s softly colored illustrations show children of all kinds, including those with disabilities. A useful addition to the genre. (Picture book. 3-6)