Around the Neighborhood: A Counting Lullaby

by Sarah L. Thomson, Jana Christy

Around the neighborhood, inside a room full of sun, lived a happy, laughing mother and her little baby one. “Play,” said the mother. “I play,” said the one. So they played and were glad in the room full of sun.The popular lullaby “Over in the Meadow” is reimagined in this fun counting book that visits the families in a neighborhood, including a mother and her child, a dog and his puppies, a spider and his spiderlings, and a mallard and her ducklings. Sarah L. Thomson’s lyrical text is paired with Jana Christy’s adorable digital artwork for a perfect bedtime treat.

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Mathematics

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2012

About the author

Sarah L. Thomson has written over thirty books for young readers, including poetry, prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her recent books include Cub's BIG World, which School Library Journal called “a big must-have" and Deadly Flowers: A Ninja's Tale, which Booklist called “genuinely thrilling." She lives in Portland, Maine.

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What, you've never read a counting lullabye before? Probably, then, you've never been the exhausted caregiver of a young person who is reluctant to nap.

This book is based on a traditional song, “Over in the Meadow.” This mother never guessed that it could be considered any kind of lullabye. But here you go, with aversion written by Sarah L. Thomson and illustrated by Jana Christy.

Here's a sample:

Around the neighborhood
atop a tall iron gate,
lived an old father black crow
and his little hatchlings eight.

"Caw" said the father.
"We caw," said the eight.
So they cawed and were glad
on the tall iron gate.

FIVE STARS for a book that is both traditional enough and also delightfully whimsical.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the art, but didn't care as much for the prose. I am always a little confused by these childrens books that are based on a lullaby (song in back), but someone more musical than I might really dig it.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A variation of "Over in the Meadow," featuring a mother singing a counting song to her baby. The neighborhood is rural, rather than urban, and includes animals like ducks.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Cute counting book that is fun to read aloud to little ones. My kids (ages 4-8) enjoyed this sweet book.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Counting to 10

Use this melody to sing the book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1KRj...

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by an Appalachian folk song, this book counts from 1-10 the animals/insects that can be found in almost any neighborhood. Digital illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and offer unique perspectives based on the animals depicted in each two page spread.

I would've liked to have seen the numbers 1-10 appearing somewhere on each page as opposed to just in the text. Also, being that this is a lullaby book, I was hoping it might include a CD, especially because the music is included in the back.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little adaptation of "Over in the Meadow" to a suburban environment, with gender-balanced parenting (though the gender-balance is strained: a father spider isn't around for his spiderlings, for obvious reasons, for instance). But a nice little lullaby / counting rhyme that goes through the day with toddler and parent.

[Bethany Harnden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awash in beautiful water colors, this counting rhyme takes a stroll through the neighborhood and explores the numerous creatures about their busy activities, before winding back down for a good night's sleep at home. A great bedtime story for young ones who can chime in on the repeats.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

count and put your babies to sleep at the same time! summary of numbers of animals at the end.

[Becky Dutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it has an innocence about it. The pictures are so vivid, and the text can be sung to the tune to "Over in the Meadow." Perfect for moms and their little ones.

[Brandi North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the rhyming in this book! It also can be sung as "Over the Meadow." Great bedtime story for kids through age 3! Illustrations are bright and vivid also!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A counting book that rhymes too. Part or all of it can be sung in storytime.

[Kim Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely warm illustrations with a repeated phrase the helps children count to ten. Nice use of recognizable animals that children will enjoy counting.