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Dirt + Water = Mud


Dirt + Water = Mud
By Katherine Hannigan
Greenwillow Books, 2016. Picture book.

A girl has amazing adventures in her backyard with her dog, her active imagination, and a few props. Each page has a simple equation (“sheet + flowerpot + stick = Her Majesty, the Queen”) and a few speech bubbles, including humorous translations of the little dog’s different “woofs” and “ah-roos.” The two best friends have fun, communicate, and express emotions.

The short phrases and fun word equations mean this book could work well as an easy reader. The story and the illustrations are both warm and cheerful. The dog’s face and body language are wonderfully expressive. This book offers lots of action and some great ideas about using imagination and working through emotions.

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