McGrath, Barbara Barbieri. Five Hiding Ostriches. Riley Samels, Illus. Picture Book. Charlesbridge, 08/2022. [32]pp. $15.99. 978-1-62354-196-5. HIGH ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.
Using a rhyming text similar to the fingerplay “Five Little Pumpkins,” five ostriches hide from a lion they think is hunting them. It begins “Five little ostriches, huddled in one spot. The first one said, ‘It’s getting rather hot.’” The text uses dialogue balloons when the ostriches are speaking. The full-color digital illustrations depict the African savannah and resemble gouache paintings. This is a great choice for storytime, since the audience can help by calling out the number of ostriches or by doing some of the movements with their hands. The book ends with a description of a hide-and-seek game that may be played outside after the reading. Review based on an ARC.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University, iSchool