Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes

Sprightly rhymes encourage interactive finger play in this stylishly illustrated poetry collection. Rarely exceeding eight lines, easily remembered experiential verse by Taylor (You’re a Poet) riffs on varied subjects, including bubble-blowing, a snake, snow, and a waterslide. With vibrant coloring and a stamped effect, mixed-media art from Woodcock (Little Lion Girl) clearly visualizes poetry-prompted hand motions. Accompanying a piece about a sailing ship, waves ebb and flow, subtly composed of interlocked hands, while portholes encircle a figure making gestures that simulate a sailing vessel (“See this ship./ It’s sailing by./ The mast is strong./ Sails are high”). Subjects predominantly include animals (an octopus) and day-to-day actions (tying shoes), while “On my Phone,” which mimics common user motions (“I dial numbers”), supplies a contemporary sensibility. It’s a singsong volume that gets bodies moving and pages turning. Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. An author’s note opens. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)