Picture Book of the Day: The Long, Long Line

Picture Book of the Day:  The Long, Long Line, by Tomoko Ohmura

This joyous book sparks curiosity right from the start.  We see 50 animals waiting in line...for what?  What's the surprise?  Ohmura treats us to a reverse counting book, we countdown from 50 to 1.  As a little bird flies overhead, the animals engage in word games and exchanges to keep themselves occupied.  Ohmura keeps throwing in twists to the action:  a traffic jam is caused by a sheep afraid of an animal we cannot see.  When we flip the page, we see a wolf turned back, licking its licks.  A hyena with googly eyes plays peek-a-boo to charm a crying kangaroo joey.  And pensive creatures take part in a goofy Word Chain game to pass the time.  The animals' expressions are comical and delightful.  And what's great is the book has a wonderful payoff:  the animals wait in line...for something extremely cool.  This exhilarating charmer will invite repeat visits.