Everyone knows that cows yearn for that greener grass on the other side of the fence. In this lively picture book, Katie, a bored cow, is no exception. Her sites are set, however, on more distant pastures: the moon. Inspired by Farmer Beth's dances around the farm, the barnyard animals suggest a space ballet, and cram themselves into a homemade rocket built from cans and glue. The lack of gravity on the moon makes dancing ballet, the Watusi, and the Mashed Potato "udderly great," and even Katie's tight fit in a crater cannot dampen the mood of the lunar merriment.

Everyone also knows that the other side of the fence is not always as fulfilling. Katie soon begins to miss her own pastures. Along with the donkey, turkey, duck, sheep, cat, and other animals, she heads back home, their incredible journey unbeknownst to their sleeping farmer. Although now content in her barn, Katie appreciates the adventure that made her value her true home.

Matthew Gollub, an award-winning children's author, tells this humorous romp through rhyming text, with detailed, action-packed illustrations that add to the amusement. While the rhymes may come across as forced in some places when reading the text, an accompanying CD creates an experience that young children will find entertaining. With appropriate pacing, a variety of animal voices, and the refrain, "Gobble-gobble, moo-gobble, gobble-haw quack. Moo quack-a quack-a moo. Just like that," the jazzy music will inspire listeners to clap along with the story. It even takes on slower and faster tempos when Katie reaches the moon to reflect the many dances of this talented cow and her friends.

"Gobble, Quack, Moon" could be used by libraries, schools, children's programs, and caregivers to explore farm animals and different forms of dance. Beginning readers can use the CD to follow the text on their own. The CD can also be played separately, simply to enjoy the spirited song and story.

[...]loves Matthew Gollub's books. The illustrations are unique and beautiful and we love the way Matt introduces children to jazz and other forms of music. We highly recommend both "Jazz Fly" and "Gobble, Quack, Moon."

The other day my 9 year old son came to me wanting me to read "Gobble, Quack, Moon"
My son was late in learning to read, but the wonderful illustrations and fun music and writing style in "Gobble, Quack, Moon" made him want to read. He pushed himself to try harder so he could see what happens at the end. Now he can read much better after completing this story. Thank you Mr. Gollub for bringing my child into the wonderful world of reading.
Now my son and I will get comfortable on the couch and read this excellent book almost nightly. I am sure my son and I will go on and read the rest of your books.

This is an excellent account of Issa's life and poetry. This story goes through important stages of Issa's life and incorporates his poetry into the stages. This unique book explains how Issa succeeds as a poet even though he endures difficulties in his life. Children of all ages will enjoy the story and beautiful illustrations. I think the author and illustrator did a great job of working together to create a fine story abour this Japanese haiku writter. The best part of this book is the poems. The poems are written in English and also in Japanese. This book will capture your interest.

I think this has got to be the best haiku book I've ever read. The illustrations are magnificent, and its power and sensitivity communicate Issa's poems to readers of all ages. The author's translations of the Japanese poems to English capture Issa's timeless charm and the love he felt for all living things--including frogs and crickets! And what makes this book so valuable to me as a teacher is the whopping 3 page author's note. It lends perspective, and plenty of background information, on reading and writing haiku. My 2nd grade class felt so inspired by this book that they've been REQUESTING time to refine their own haiku ever since I read it aloud!

When the little boy, issa, starts to fell lonley he starts writing haikus. In his travels he wrote a lot of haikus. In the book you can see how inspiring the world is from a kind of a weird way to look at it. Well i think i told too much. The rest you will need to read in the book.

As a teacher, I am always searching for quality literature to supplement and boost my curriculum. This book is amazing! Not only is it an enchanting story, it encourages children to think creatively. The introduction of "scat" singing encourages language play and rhyming in new ways. The accompanying CD enabled the children to appreciate Jazz, exposing them to the actual sounds and combinations of the instruments. My class embraced this story and made it their own, retelling it over and over again. As a parent, I was thrilled when my own children discovered Jazz, thanks to The Jazz Fly. They now enjoy identifying various instruments and are eager to learn more about music. This is an upbeat, positive addition to library!

My daughter and I had the pleasure of seeing Matthew Gollub when he visited her school about a year and a half ago. Matthew read the Jazz fly to a gymnasium full of spell bound children who sat quietly and axiously as he read the story his way. To this day, I try to re-capture his level of enthousiam when I read the story to my children. I still end up playing the CD for them, even after we have finished reading, just so they get the same enjoyment as that wonderful day at her school. I purchased this book and another he read (then autographed) the same day he visted her school. I now enjoy sharing his stories with my nieces, nephews and children of our friends.

I am a teacher in a 3/4 combo class of English Language Learners (native Spanish speakers). I also have 5 year old triplet girls at home. I was fortunate enough to see Matthew Gollub speaking at a teacher's convention and was really enthralled with his animated way of getting the audience in. I ended up buying three of his books. The Jazz Fly was a big hit with my own children. They loved the version I read (although I can't do it justice) and the version on the CD by Mr. Gollub. I can't wait to use this book in my classroom for my music unit!

One oni after another rise out of the sand in this delightful book by Matthew Gollub. In this book, the oni are not so much terrible and fierce, but endearing and protecting. They play their Japanese drums (taiko) to ward off any evil in their path. A brief history of the oni, the taiko, and kanji (Chinese characters that were adopted in written Japanese) appears at the end of the book, and a chart is included for those eager to learn to write the kanji.

The illustrations by Kazuko Stone, are bright and cheerful and show the imagination that went into the making of the book.

Kazuko Stone illustrates Ten Oni Drummers, a Japanese story of a young boy who falls asleep on the beach in Japan, awakening in the night to find onis who play taiko drums loudly to chase away his bad dreams. A warm story of gentle monsters who help.