Say What? by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Joey Chou Ages 2-5 32 pages Beach Lane Books July 2012 Hardcover     This rhymed picture book plays with animal sounds and what they might mean. The author asks, “When a horse says NEIGH, does she really mean HAY?” and “When a sheep says BAA, does he really mean MA?” As DiTerlizzi moves from the barnyard to nature (snakes, lions, and owls), she asks a series of similar questions. This gives the child an opportunity to enjoy blurting out the rhyming words such as “moo and who,” “hiss and kiss,” and “quack and snack.” The child can also have fun practicing the sounds these familiar critters make, as well. Each set of animals includes a parent and little one. As you look at the humorous illustrations, you’ll discover the duckling is raiding the refrigerator for a cupcake (quack-snack), while the lion cub is taking a bath and demanding additional toys be brought into the bathroom (roar-more). Each scenario pictured reinforces the rhymed words in some way. As you reach the final pages the author admits, “What animals say, we don’t really know. But you know what I say? I do love you so!” Now that’s a sweet way to finish this cute book and might make Say What? a nice Valentine’s Day or birthday gift as well.     web reviews   Bob Walch/2012 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)