Walker Toddlerobics

Colourful, participatory aerobic-style exercises for toddlers. Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly Talk about putting readers through their paces-a brisk rhyming text urges kids out of their armchairs and onto the floor for a swift, nifty workout: "Lift that rattle in the air-shake it, shake it, everywhere!" Showing eight toddlers as they clap and stamp and stretch and twirl, Newcome's (Rosie Goes Exploring) tidy watercolor and crayon compositions stress the children's fun and their friendship. Endpapers introduce each member of this ethnically diverse class by name, from Alphonse to Vikram, thereby personalizing the reader's various vicarious gym partners. With activities like "wriggle your toes, crawl like a cat, now lie down and stretch out flat," kids will happily join in. Ages 2-4. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreS?Simple rhyming words take readers through a lively play session: "Hats off, coats off, all rush in-everybody ready for toddler gym!" The verse lacks a particularly strong rhythm, but features activities that youngsters can do: "Wriggle your toes, crawl like a cat, now lie down and stretch out flat." Bright, lively illustrations depict eight children (and a couple of teddy bears) demonstrating the activities. In an accurate portrayal of toddler play, some of the kids do better than others, depending on the motion. They never quite all manage to "join together to make a choo-choo train," but they come close and obviously enjoy trying. Some children observe the goings-on; others just please themselves, regardless of what the group is doing. The characters are ethnically diverse, and their names are given to add a bit more individuality. Slightly varied page layouts bring motion and energy to the scenes. For a somewhat younger audience than Lorinda Cauley's Clap Your Hands (Putnam 1992), and a bit lengthier than Helen Oxenbury's excellent All Fall Down/Clap Hands/Say Goodnight/Tickle, Tickle quartet (all Macmillan, 1987), Toddlerobics is a good choice.?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.