Word play with small children is not only fun, but a powerful emergent literacy tool. Add some picture play and the benefits increase. When word play and picture play are combined with an amusing story everyone can relate to, you have a winner. And that is what Peter Catalanotto has created, a book that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Mr. Mumby, who resembles someone’s grandfather, wakes up with a tickle in his throat, but a shopping trip is paramount on his schedule. And what a shopping trip it proves to be! Instead of the scrambled eggs and corn muffin he orders in a diner for breakfast, he is served two scarecrow legs and a car muffler. A dozen bagels become a dozing beagle and on it goes. Mr. Mumble collects an odd cohort of critters that provide a lot of the visual fun with their antics in store after store. Loose rhymes, plus charming illustrations, allow children to guess what is joining Mr. Mumby’s strange collection of purchases.
Young children, who are often misunderstood, will relate to Mr. Mumby’s confusion. They will also love searching the pictures for the dozing beagle. (In fact, children, and possibly some adults, may identify with some of the mischievous behavior of this bevy of beasts.) An added plus for children familiar with DYLAN’S DAY OUT, an earlier Catalanotto book,is they will find an old friend if they look carefully.
This complete package will continue to charm readers and listeners time and again. Each time you share this book, someone will find something new in the art that adds to the story. This is one shopping trip everyone will enjoy.
Check the WRL catalog for Mr. Mumble.
