A great big green crocodile lay down for a nap.

I lay down beside him until he went...SNAP!

Sixteen exuberant action rhymes for young children and babies, with 'Let's play' guidance and joyful illustrations.

About the Author

Jane Newberry's unique insight into very little children began as a puppeteer at children's parties, where she discovered what makes children laugh. For over 25 years Jane taught Early Years Music to various groups. She wrote and illustrated three song books, A Sackful of Songs, A Sackful of Christmas and Hey, What's in the Sack? before moving on to gather the many play-rhymes used in groups over the years.

Married to Pat and living in Cornwall, Jane has four children and two grandchildren. She is currently writing grown-up poetry but always finds time to work with children and parents at Rhyme-Time sessions in the local community library.

Carolina Rabei gained a BA in Graphic Design in Moldova and a distinction in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Her artwork is a unique mix of traditional and digital techniques. Her first picture book, Snow (Faber), was published to critical acclaim and was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Carolina is the illustrator of Binky's Time to Fly (Otter-Barry Books, 2019). She lives in Cambridge.

Reviews

"This is a lively and engaging collection of contemporary action rhymes. Child-friendly images bounce, zoom, creep and bump off the pages filling the space with a lively visual experience. The colours are vibrant and textured - in tune with the immediacy of the words. So get zooming to the moon or tap, tap, tapping with those wooden spoons - it will be fun."

-- Ferelith Hordon * Books for Keeps 4 star review *

"A perfect collection to introduce young children to the joy of poetry."

* Charlotte Hacking, CLPE *

"A collection of new nursery rhymes, this is a book for parents and adults to share with the very youngest to spark a lifelong love of poetry... a perfect post-lockdown book, allowing adults and small children to connect and share poems. It's beautifully presented and perfectly illustrated."

* CLIPPA nomination *

"We do love this book, and I am about to Face Time with a 3-year old...which one shall I choose? Big Green Crocodile."

* Dolphin Book Blog *

"Whether your children are babies, soon to start reading at school, or somewhere in between, this is for you. Caroline Rabei's wonderful illustrations showing enthusiastic young child participants in all the action make this an even more delightful sharing experience for both children and adults."

* Red Reading Hub *

"A delight. Love it. Rhymes for inside, outside, quiet and loud, sitting and standing. With actions added for each one on every page. Love it."

* Jo Bowers, Associate Dean, Cardiff Metropolitan University *

"Rhymes that make you want to clap your hands and laugh out loud."

-- Michael Morpurgo

"A truly MUST-HAVE for anyone spending time with young children. And forget the book's blurb that mentions 'toddlers and babies', many of the sixteen original action rhymes inside will be appreciated by school-age children too. The rhymes are infectiously rhythmic and each one is accompanied by LET'S PLAY guidance on suggested actions. [A] wonderful collection, joyfully illustrated by Carolina Rabei."

* Achuka *

"This is a delightful book full of rhymes which are perfect for babies and toddlers. Each rhyme is beautifully illustrated. The writer has included useful ideas for engaging your child playfully with each of the rhymes...You will soon be adding new ideas of your own..."

* Love My Books *

"This is a lively and engaging collection of contemporary action rhymes to be chanted (or just recited) with actions for babies and toddlers; the suggested actions are detailed in neat inserts with each verse, no equipment required, just you and the child - and hands, feet and faces...

Accompanying each rhyme are illustrations by Carolina Rabei. They are a perfect match. Her child-friendly images bounce, zoom, creep and bump off the pages filling the space with a lively visual experience. The colours are vibrant and textured - in tune with the immediacy of the words."

* Books for Keeps *


Awards
Short-listed for CLiPPA CLPE Poetry Award 2021 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781913074531
Author Jane Newberry
Format Paperback
Page Count 32
Imprint Otter-Barry Books Ltd
Publisher Otter-Barry Books Ltd