School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Sleek, noble, and proud steeds stomp, trot, plunge, and prance across spreads as they carry pleased, costumed children on their backs. Among the riders are a show jumper stepping briskly over the cavalletti, a destrier with a miniature knight aboard, a palomino rearing as his cowgirl twirls her lariat, a dapple gray caparisoned in gold bearing a princess, and a gleaming unicorn with a fairy ballerina poised on his rump. Racehorses, however, do not run, as pictured here, with all four legs extended at the same time, even when they carry a tiny, eager jockey. The simple text is onomatopoetic: "jingle-ringle," "clank," "trrrit-trrrot," "lolloppy-plod," "yee-ha," etc. The big, bright acrylic-and-gouache illustrations are executed in a flat, well-arranged perspective and filled with fun and action. A perfect read-aloud.-Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Riders of all stripes saddle up in McDonnell's (Splash!) distinctive take on a traditional nursery rhyme. This is the way the drummer rides. Bang! Bang! BOOM! BOOM! This is the way the show jumper rides. Trrrit-trrrot trrrit-trrrot. The oversize format provides just the right showcase for McDonnell's thickly applied, high-intensity acrylic and gouache illustrations. Set against a backdrop the color of tomato soup, the opening spread shows the little drummer on the back of his big horse. Sitting atop a graceful gelding and prancing on a pristine green, the show jumper on the next spread provides perfect contrast. While McDonnell keeps the focus on horses, she does diversify. Thick legs, sneakered hooves and a suspicious eye-hole hint at animal impersonation at the circus (This is the way the clown rides. Bump BUMP bumpetty-BUMP); later, a rajah rides an elephant decorated with a golden harness, gems and bells. The final spread returns readers to reality: This is the way the children ride. Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Let's ride! The rocking horse, stick pony and elephant pull-toy reveal their imaginative play. Large print makes the repetitive text stand out and the onomatopoeic refrain is handwritten with a flourish. Vibrant and catchy, this blue-ribbon offering will surely get kids into the groove . Ages 2-4. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved