Mary Had a Little Lizard

PreS-K--Contrary to the familiar nursery rhyme, the fair-haired chid in this wordless picture book takes a pet lizard to school instead of a lamb. The geckolike critter stirs up quite a bit of mischief once he escapes from Mary's backpack hung up in her cubbie. The author's attractive and colorful artwork brings a multitude of humorous scenes in varying perspectives, showing the goofy-looking lizard creatively dabbling with the brushes and acrylics set out for Painting Day. Mary's classroom includes a teacher and classmates of many ethnicities. Unfortunately, one child's face falls in the gutter crease of the book's binding. Concluding pages show happiness for Mary and her pet at the end of the school day. This alternate telling of the Mother Goose rhyme can contribute to children's imaginations and conversational skills as they decide what will happen next. VERDICT A supplemental but enjoyable choice to read-aloud or read-alone.--Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA