cover image What's New Said the Gnu?

What's New Said the Gnu?

Arnold Shapiro, Wendy Ecklson. Dial Books, $12.95 (12pp) ISBN 978-0-8037-1627-8

Budding rhymesters, gagsters and other-ster youngsters will do well to check out this beguiling batch of banter. On each of the action-filled spreads, the inquisitive Gnu asks, ``What's new?'' and is answered by three pals: ""`I rowed a boat,' said the Goat''; ""`I pulled a wagon,' said the Dragon.'' Each spread contains its own scenario-the wagon and the boat belong to a bucolic landscape; a cow who ``took a bow'' is among the merrymakers at a fair; and outside a snow-covered house, ""`I fixed a hole,' said the Mole.'' Separate pop-ups and pull-tabs for each character's responses add up to lively pages-a laughing Giraffe rocks back and forth, a Frog really does fall off a log, etc. Paris's cheery illustrations abound with details, helping to make this sporty book particularly gnifty gnus. Ages 2-6. (June)