Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

After years of dreaming of planting a garden, Mr. McGreely finally takes hoe and watering can in hand and makes his dream come true. Unfortunately for him (but luckily for readers), this is not the happily-ever-after part of the story. Late one night, three hungry bunnies appear: "Tippy-tippy-tippy, Pat! Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" The next morning finds our farmer gnashing his teeth over the gnawed sprouts. So he builds a small wire fence. That night... "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" So Mr. McGreely builds a tall wooden wall. You get the idea. Young readers will hang on every word until they find out, once and for all, who will win the battle of the broccoli.

Packed with repetitive and onomatopoeic phrases, Candace Fleming's tale of man against nature will keep kids giggling--it may even inspire them to chomp on a few carrots themselves! G. Brian Karas's lively illustrations in gouache and pencil are full of visual wit, as the audacious "twitch-whiskers" patiently watch Mr. McGreely at his seemingly futile endeavors. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter