School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-The 12 songs in this collection are lively, full of clever lyrics, fun to listen to, and have good solid messages. Unfortunately, only three of them are included on the professionally produced CD. Accompanying each entry is a full-page cartoon illustration done with childlike charm, with lots of elongated limbs and primary colors. The lyrics contain certain key words in different colored fonts, sometimes in varying sizes. The chords to each song are also appended, but they are not very helpful without the melody. If all 12 selections were on the CD, this would be a wonderful product. With only three, it falls short.-Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Covert, a successful children's musician (and leader of erstwhile power-pop band The Bad Examples), proffers lyrics to a dozen songs for his first kids' publishing venture. Subjects range from typical kid-pleasing fare--dump trucks, pet cats and Halloween--to North American rivers and a whimsical visit to "Peggy's Pie Parlor." Harper's full-bleed, collaged acrylics, often spilling onto facing pages, feature the likes of smiling lemons, exuberant children and, integrated into each spread, a photo of Ralph's grinning, bespectacled head. Backmatter repeats the lyrics, annotated with guitar chords, and the completed package includes a three-tune CD. The repetition inherent in song lyrics--the very thing that makes them catchy when sung or heard--can be a tad tedious on the page, and imperfect scansion--obviated when accompanied by music--is harder to enjoy as text. Nonetheless, Ralph's many fans will relish this romp: His clever wordplay is endearing, and the pictures provide plenty of sweet, colorful detail. (table of contents, author's note; CD not heard) (Picture book/songbook. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.