There's a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake

Author/illustrator Loren Long, creator of the Otis the Tractor picture-book series, and the illustrator of many other children's books, adapts the classic children's song, "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" in this new title. The cumulative text starts with a log at the bottom of the lake,

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eventually growing to include the hole in the log, the frog in the hole, the hair on the frog, and the bugs on the hair. A snarky turtle and his snail sidekick provide commentary on the whole thing, in little speech bubbles. Eventually, someone happens by who puts an end to the cumulative effect...

I have enjoyed quite a few of Loren Long's books, and always find his artwork quite appealing. There's a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake was no exception, and although I didn't know the original song, going in, I nevertheless found the cumulative text here entertaining. The turtle's commentary added an amusing extra element, and the conclusion, in which a fish happens by and eats both frog and bugs, had a Jon Klassen feeling to it. The artwork, done in acrylics and colored pencils, is quite expressive, with the frog's expressions, when he is contemplating the bugs on his head, being particularly droll. Recommended to fans of the original song, to admirers of Loren Long, and to anyone in the market for fun, read-aloud tales for the younger picture-book set.

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