The Man from the Land of Fandango

PreS-Gr 2–The man in this jaunty, rhyming title is a kind soul who shows kids how to entertain themselves, whether it’s dancing capriciously with a bison or bear or playing music on a dinosaur’s back. He ushers in some good, old-fashioned fun and makes sure that everyone gets home safely in the end. This is the first time that Mahy’s poem has been published in picture-book format. The language is rhythmical and great for reading aloud. Dunbar’s illustrations work harmoniously with Mahy’s words to create the ultimate experience for readers. The artist uses fanciful shapes and splashes of color that give youngsters a sense that something very special is happening. A lively selection for preschool storytime and a great addition to most collections.–Cass Mabbot, Seattle Public Library, WA