Title: Me and Annie McPhee
Author: Olivier Dunrea
Illustrator: David Roberts Will Hillenbrand
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: June 14, 2016
Genre/Format: Children’s Picture Books
Age Range: 3-7
Grade Range:Preschool-2nd
Me And Annie McPhee
Synopsis:
In the middle of the sea,
as far as the eye could see,
there was nothing to see but sea.
Nothing but sea and
one tiny island just big enough for me.
Just big enough for me and Annie McPhee,
who was no bigger than me.
But what begins as an empty island in the middle of the sea becomes fuller and fuller as readers turn through the pages. Meet two wee dogs who think that they’re frogs, three perky pigs that are all wearing wigs, four frumpy hens who are hunched with their pens — and more! The lonely island “just big enough for me and Annie McPhee” might not be so lonely after all!
Selected Reading of Me And Annie McPhee:
Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea’s picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife’s Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea’s own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. “I don’t write books or make pictures for children,” Dunrea once told Something about the Author (SATA). “I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!”
My Thoughts:
This is such a fun and goofy read for little ones. Sure, it’s repetitive (think 12 days of Christmas), but it flows nicely and the illustrations are pretty awesome. While us adults may get tired of hearing the same thing over and over again, little ones learn that way. While my nine-year old was a tad too old for this book, my five-year old really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
Me and Annie McPhee can be found at your local book retailer or online at stores like Amazon.
