Howdi Do (Radunsky/Guthrie)

Folk-music legend Woody Guthrie meets madcap artist Vladimir Radunsky (Yucka Drucka Droni) in the ebullient picture book and CD set Howdi Do, a cheerful song-story about a bright yellow dog who has to say hello to and "shakey paw" with absolutely everyone. It's perhaps the most contagiously cheerful book on the planet--a puppy madly running through town shaking everyone's hand, spreading good cheer, and saying "howdi do," of course. Radunsky's crisp, colorful collages shout and wave and bound with the simple song; once preschoolers listen to the accompanying CD they'll get the idea and join right in: "Howjee, heejee, hijee, hojee,/ Howdi do, sir, doodle-do." The four-song CD of kid-friendly Guthrie creations, performed by the Band of Weeds, adds even more rhythm and life to this happy offering. (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson