Old Mikamba Had A Farm

(Hardback)

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Description

Old Mikamba had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on this farm he had a giraffe, a baboon and an elephant! Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora has set the classic children's song 'Old MacDonald' on the plains of Africa, where Old Mikamba watches over a variety of animals on his game farm - from roaring lions and chirping ostriches to bellowing rhinos and honking wildebeests. Providing a wonderful introduction to African wildlife, this truly unique rendition of a much loved song gives children a whole new set of fun animal sounds to try out as they enjoy the collage-style artwork.

Reviews

Provides a variety of fun sounds to re-create with a partner. The trill-trill of the dassie and the bleat-bleat of the giraffe are sure to delight. Isadoras stunning collage brings the colors and textures of the African plain to life. . . . The animals are parent/child pairs and this augments the shared feel of the song. Concluding pages provide background on the featured species, including habitat, communication systems, and endangered status. Lovely to look at as well as pure joy to read aloud, this title will demand an encore again and again. School Library Journal

A familiar text is adapted to use in an unfamiliar environment with happy results. . . . The combination of the known and the unknown, the amusing noises that each animal makes, and the exuberant collages incorporating woven fabrics, newsprint, and other materials all make for a winning strategy. . . . Young children will want to visit this farm and grunt-grunt with the hippos and chirp-chirp with the ostriches. Kirkus Reviews

While the animal sounds are fun and lend themselves perfectly to a storytime rendition, the artwork is a particular treat. Collages that give a distinct sense of place, set against plentiful white space that allows the animals to pop. . . . An extensive concluding note provides interesting facts about all of the animals included, as well as a mention of the role game farms and parks play in protecting Africas endangered species. Booklist

Old Mikamba may have a farm, but its a game farm on the African plains, and the animals on his farm are a far cry from the typical cow/pig/chicken that hang out with Old MacDonald. Here, baboons, zebras, and elephants share space with rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs. . . . A whole new lot of animal sounds. . . . Intriguingly composed figures. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Rachel Isadora puts a new spin on the tale of Old MacDonalds Farm. . . . Readers will discover the animals and sounds of Africa. . . . Creatively designed. Library Media Connection

Author Bio

Rachel Isadora received a Caldecott Honor for Ben's Trumpet. She is the author of Bea at Ballet, Peekaboo Bedtime, Say Hello! and the Lili at Ballet series, and has written and illustrated several classic stories and songs set in Africa. She lives in New York City.