Boom Bah! by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Nina Rycroft Ages 3-6 32 pages Kane/Miller January 2010 Hardcover     A little mouse makes music in the kitchen with a spoon - ting! A cat chimes in with a spatula - tong! All the barnyard animals soon join in the fun with makeshift instruments made of bells, cans, lids and sticks. The animals form a chorus line, strutting about on their hind legs and playing boisterous music. This impromptu animal parade even gets its own banner when a flock of birds holds a banner made up of red triangular flags to celebrate the musical mayhem. The merrymakers march into town and are surprised to run into another band, this one outfitted with real instruments and snazzy red uniforms with brass buttons. Both groups of musicians mingle and continue their joyful parade down the street together. Children will love the energy and exuberance that jump off the page in Boom Bah! The rhythmic text and vibrant pencil and watercolor illustrations make the book very appealing to view and read out loud with preschoolers and kindergartners. Be prepared to deal with urgent demands to find suitable makeshift instruments around the home and hold an impromptu music jam session together!     web reviews   Usha Reynolds/2010 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)