This is a book you MUST have!, April 7, 2000

By 

K. Agee (Mt. Juliet, TN United States) – See all my reviews

  

We got this book for our 4 year old daughter when she was 2, and it became her all-time favorite book. It helped her to increase her speech by saying fun things. We then introduced it to our 2nd daughter when she was 20 months old, and she also adores this book and it is the one she always gets every night and says "book" to have it read. We only say the first part of each page (i.e., "The pigs say…") and she always finishes the second part (i.e., "LaLaLa"). This is an absolute must have along with "But Not The Hippopotamus" by Boynton. These are GREAT gifts for baby showers or 1st birthdays.If you are considering ordering this – Go ahead and do it now! You WON’T be sorry that you did!

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No, No, That’s All Wrong!, May 23, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) – See all my reviews

  

  

  

  

Shakespeare knew it, and parents and other adults know it: People love a comedy of errors. Perhaps the most delighted audience is the youngest; toddlers love hearing mistakes and correcting them. It’s a surefire hit for their certain sense of humor, and Sandra Boynton exploits this beautifully in this small board book.

Just a few set-up lines and Boynton is ready for the book’s main joke:

“A cow says MOO.”

“A sheep says BAA.”

“Three singing pigs say LA LA LA!”

“‘No, no!’ you say, ‘that isn’t right.

The pigs say OINK all day and night.’”

Practice your dramatic abilities and really ham it up (pun intended) when you read the singing pigs and “that isn’t right” lines on pages 3 and 4. There’s also some action (dogs chasing cats), and a nice quizzical conclusion: (“It’s quiet now. What do you [underlined] say?”)

Boynton’s familiar style is whimsical and slightly tongue-in-cheek. Her animals have very expressive, human-looking emotions, conveyed mostly through the eyes. For example, a quacking duck and a neighing horse aren’t intrinsically very interesting, but when they’re facing each other with similarly baffled faces, there’s a subtle humor. The singing pigs, by the way, are anything but subtle. They’re pizzazed out in coordinating striped pants, solid sports coats, and elegant white bow ties. They excited pigs dance in unison and hold canes in a showy vaudeville style. For a short and simple board book aimed at the very young, this is lots of fun. For older toddlers, take a look at Boynton’s counting book with a difference: “Hippos Go Berserk!” She knows and loves her animals, and so will your little one.

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If I had to choose one single book it would be this one!, August 23, 1998

I am an American, first-time Mom, living overseas and am building a collection of kid’s books, in English, for my 7 1/2 month old son. By chance, while on a trip to NY when my son was only 5 months old, I purchased this book. As sort of joke I immediately began reading this and other books to him thinking he was too young to respond. Boy was I surprised! If he even sees the cover from afar he grunts for me to read it to him! As soon as I finish he continues this over & over again! There are other books that he enjoys (Goonight Moon,Time to Sleep, Chicka Chicka ABC), however, none compare to his love for Moo Bah LaLaLa! As soon as those 3 words come out of my mouth he quiets. I am absolutely amazed and recommend this title to all new parents.

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