Tammi Sauer

With a superb balance between text and illustration, this is a humorous story which leaves off with a heart-warming sigh.

A knock at the door reveals a bear, who wants to come into the house. And this bear isn't going to take 'no' for an answer. When his persistence suddenly. . .unexpectedly comes to an end, it doesn't have the result which might be expected.

Bear is a big, furry, somewhat clumsy looking and oh-what a huggable mass. Although his persistence is ridiculous, he never comes across show more as creepy. It's still easy to understand the boy as he turns down the bear time and again. And when things flip-flop, it's a touching treat.

The text is simple and great for a read-aloud, and while it flows well, it's the fitting illustrations which make this such a delightful read. The two balance each other nicely, adding humor and all the other fitting emotions at just the right time. By the end, it's hard not to love both characters and feel warm and fuzzy from the happy ending. This is a lovely read and sure to be one that ends with the request to be read again. And again. And again.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it so much (as did my kids) that we wanted to leave our honest thoughts. show less

Bear is just getting ready for his winter's hibernation when there is a "Knock Knock" at the door. As one after another of his friends arrive, each with a knock-knock joke, our ursine character gets more and more irate. Then he realizes that he is being given a "happy hibernation" party, and goes happily off to sleep. When he awakens in the spring, it is then his turn to go knocking...

Children who love knock-knock jokes will enjoy Knock Knock, which pairs an amusing, joke-filled narrative show more from author Tammi Sauer with colorful, cartoon-style artwork from illustrator Guy Francis. Although there are grouchy bears aplenty in the world of picture-books (think the bear in Goodnight, Already!, or in Ryan Higgins' Mother Bruce), this is the first story I've seen to feature a grouchy bear reacting to knock-knock jokes. Somehow, the combination really tickled my funny bone! Recommended to all young grouches, and to anyone who appreciates knock-knock jokes. show less

This sequel worked much better for me than the first book, Chicken Dance. I thought the first one was hilarious and would be great in storytime, but it turned out I wasn't the only one who missed the pop culture references and most of the kids just didn't get it. I think this one will work much better.

Marge and Lola, having won a talent contest in the previous book (recapped in photos on the title page) are off on tour with Elvis Poultry! At their first stop, McDoodle's Barnyard however, show more Marge and Lola freeze up. They try everything, but nothing works and they flop at barnyard after barnyard. They're about to be sent home when they remember what's most important and know just what they're missing and on their next stop at Dale's Dairy Farm, they moooove the cows - and Elvis Poultry too.

In glorious technicolor with sparkles everywhere they can be put, the chickens faint, flop and finally dazzle their way through this silly romp with a gentle reminder that performers need friends and fans too. Dan Santat's chickens and other barnyard animals are delightfully blocky and exuberant and the design of the book makes all the jokes moooove perfectly.

Verdict: You don't need the previous book to get started on this one and I think it will work well in storytimes. [Update: Yep, this one worked very well in preschool storytimes for both kids and parents]

ISBN: 9781402778377; Published April 2012 by Sterling; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library show less

Let's hear it for the conflict resolution powers of a relentless sense of optimism combined with complete obliviousness -- it's an amazingly powerful (and in this case funny) force.