Being asked how writing evolved her relationship with Don, she responded, 'I read him a children's book during our honeymoon.' She also said that even though always interested in children's books is wasn't until Bruce was born that she was pushed into action. The Napping House was being celebrated for its twentieth year in publication. In an interview conducted by publisher Harcourt with them, Wood was congratulated on her success in publishing children's literature. Their son, Bruce Robert Wood, was also an illustrator, which makes art a five generation tradition in the family. Since its publication, Don has illustrated nearly 20 of her books. They began collaborating on children's literature seven years after their marriage, their first book together entitled Moonflute. Her husband, Don, is the illustrator of many of her books, including King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, which received a Caldecott Honor. An example of this would be her famous book, The Napping House. She loves step-and-repeat stories for the 'music of language'. Her work creates a sense of imagination and excitement. Much of the fun of the book can be found in trying to spot them on every two-page spread.Ĭount on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their dino/construction kicks.Wood uses children's literature to practice art, music, drama, dance, and writing.

They’re TOUGH and STRONG / with necks so long- / they’re super EXCAVATORS!” Far more interesting are the two human characters, a white girl and a black boy, that flit about the pictures offering commentary and action. “Diggersaurs dig with bites so BIG, / each SCOOP creates a crater. Peppy computer art tries valiantly to attract attention away from the singularly unoriginal text. As the diggersaurs (not all of which dig) perform jobs that regular construction equipment can do, albeit on a larger scale, there is no particular reason why any of them should have dinosaurlike looks other than just ’cause. The dozersaurus moves rocks with a “SCRAAAAPE!!!” while the rollersaurus flattens lumps with a cheery “TOOT TOOT!!” Each diggersaur is numbered, with 12 in all, allowing this to be a counting book on the sly. Each diggersaur has a specific job to do and a distinct sound effect. The title figures are introduced as bigger than both diggers and dinosaurs, and rhyming text and two construction-helmeted kids show just what these creatures are capable of. Less ambitious than Chris Gall’s widely known Dinotrux (2009) and sequels, this British import systematically relegates each dinosaur/construction-equipment hybrid to its most logical job.

Ten Little Fish by Audrey Wood