Title: Bob
Author/Illustrator: Tracy Campbell Pearson
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2002
When Henrietta cat tells Bob the rooster that he needs to find his true rooster voice, Bob heads out in search of the right noise.
Ages 3 - 8
Themes: Humor, farm animals, circular tales, self-discovery.
Opening lines: Bob, a rooster, lived with a bunch of chickens. The chickens clucked all day long, and so did Bob: "Cluck, cluck, cluck." One day Henrietta told him the truth. "Bob," she said, "you are not a chicken. You are a rooster. You need to stop clucking and learn how to crow so you can wake the girls up every morning. That's what roosters do."
Why I loved this book:
Somehow I missed this book when it came out in 2002. I'm so glad it was assigned reading for a writing class that I am taking. I love chickens and actually enjoy to call of a rooster, but that's not why I love this book.
There is a sense of humor in the writing and the illustrations that tickled my funny bone to the point where I was laughing so hard I was crying. The voices are all so matter of fact and casual as if this journey is an every day occurrence. Bob is please and puffed up as he heads out on his journey with his new found skill of learning how to meow. Each page turn leads him to new animals and new voices.
There is beautiful fun repetition that will have children participating in the story. Illustrations offer foreshadowing, humor, and some Easter eggs (Not real Easter eggs, but little unexpected extras.)
Resources and Activities:
Look for the Easter eggs throughout the story.
What other animals might Bob meet while he tries to find out how to crow?
I think this story would make a fun play. Try it.
Be sure to check out Tracy's website. You will find some coloring sheets there.
Check out Susanna Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday Blog post each week to learn about more cool books to read with your kids and add to your collection.
Check this book out from your library or buy a copy so you can read it over and over again.