The More the Merrier

by David Martin

Get ready to move! Everyone is invited as Bear, Moose, and a medley of forest animals join in an impromptu dance—each in their own way.Stepping high,galumphing low,leaping fast,wiggling slow.“I like your moves.But I’m not like you.So I’ll just dowhat I can do.”Some like to kick their feet and bend their knees to the music. Others prefer to slip and slide . . . or swoop down . . . or skip high and low! Whatever their style, children will be drawn by David Martin’s buoyant rhymes and Raissa Figueroa’s vibrant illustrations as Bear, Moose, Snake, and other forest animals dance to their own groove in a rhythmic celebration of individuality.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Music, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Cara]

The highly appealing illustrations are the star of this picture book. These digital illustrations feature sweet animals and lovely splashes of color on even the pages with white backgrounds, with lush green forest landscapes on others. In spite of being digital, the images have a mixed-media feel, with some textures looking like paint and others like pencil; this lends a tactile element that will appeal to many readers. The rhyming text will work well for reading aloud and emphasizes that everyone does their best when they are true to themselves. Children ages 3-6 will enjoy hearing this tale one-on-one or in a group setting.

[Becky]

First sentence: Hey, hey, here comes Bear--
Over rocks, under trees,
Kicking feet, bending knees,
Stepping high, stepping low,
Stepping fast, stepping slow.
And he's not alone, or not for long,
Loose as a goose...
It's Moose!

Premise/plot: The More the Merrier is a fun rhyming book starring LOTS of forest animals. These animals each have their own unique way of being happy, of having fun.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked the rhyme and rhythm of it all. I like books that have a good flow. Some books just have this certain something that makes them great to share as a read aloud. One's appreciation for the text is improved upon reading aloud and hearing it. (Not that it is not enjoyable read silently.) It's just that poetry is meant to be heard or dare I say it... performed???

I think this one should be published as a board book as well.

[Molly Cluff (Library!)]

Dawww, I'm obsessed! This is a perfect storytime book. Gave me "Everybunny Dance" vibes. Each new animal to join the group does their own kind of dance moves--and there is a repeated segment where they do their move low, high, fast, and slow (not forging any new ground, but effective). The illustrations are a home run for me. Each of the creatures (creatively rendered with a purple and turquoise color palette) has the softest, most cuddly poses and expressions. Darling and easy to incorporate in a variety of themes.

[Addie Stone]

This book is about a bear who runs into all kind of different animals and they spend time together. They meet a moose, a snake, a deer, an owl, a baby mouse, and more! They sing and dance together and celebrate their differences. The story ends with them all going to sleep together. I think this book is about learning to get along with all types of people (or animals!). A community is full of different personalities and everyone brings something different to the table.

I love the way this book flows. I think the way a new animal is added each few pages is so sweet, and exaggerates all the different qualities and traits of each individual. It is a beautiful representation of diversity.

I would use this book to teach my students about celebrating differences. I would love for them to understand that it's okay to be different that those around you, and it's not a bad thing at all! I would hope to start a discussion about the different traits in each other and how each person is unique in their own special way!

[Halli]

This one got the storytime kids up and moving, and provided the perfect segue for our midway dance break. You can feel the movement in Figueroa's illustrations, and the colorful animals are attention- grabbing. We had a little discussion during my second session about how deer aren't usually purple! I really liked how all of the animals have their own unique dance moves, even if the introduction of each animal made me feel like I was at a wedding reception watching as the wedding party got called out onto the dance floor (cheesy dance moves and all lol).

[Lisa]

"I'm not like you, So I'll just do what I can do" Bear is on the way to something, and it's joyful dance seems contagious, as all the other animals join in with their own special moves - the more the merrier.

Oh, what a fun read aloud! The lyrical verse, accompanied by the darling illustrations - I can see the kids out of their seats walking and dancing and galumphing and wiggling, even leaping and swooping. Find me some 1st graders!

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Linda]

"So I'll just do what I can do" sing (shout?) all the forest animals starting with bear. It's a wiggly, foot-stomping, twirling group that celebrates the way they do in a happy, poetic parade. Joy-filled illustrations by Raissa Figueroa, as you see on the cover, fill each page until truly it becomes, The More The Merrier!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy.

[Rebekah]

The More the Merrier invites readers to join in as forest animals move the way they do, and dance down a forest path. Words and phrases full of imagery match bright, beautifully colored illustrations, bringing movement to the pages. I highly recommend this book for reading aloud especially. Add some whole body movement or arm action to experience this story fully. Enjoy!
Ages 2-7 interest level

[Katie]

The illustration of the cover caught my attention first, especially the dark teal moose. The text is simple, with some repetition, but not in a way that gets boring. I enjoy how while each animal is dancing in their own way, the text follows a pattern. The rhyme is not forced, so when words don't rhyme the flow of the book is not broken. This would read aloud very well.

[AMY]

This is a beautiful rhyming picture book with lots of fun characters rollicking about. I loved the illustrations best with all the gorgeous hues of green and purple throughout. Kids will enjoy how much fun the animals have once they include more and more friends. Highly recommended for a fun read-aloud/storytime for Grades K-2.

[Viviane Elbee]

Love the illustrations in this song-song book, where a group of diverse animals get together, dancing to the same beat but each in their own unique ways.
There is no real story but I could see preschoolers dancing along, like an action poem.

[Cheriee Weichel]

This book is pure joy. Bear begins dancing in a forest . They are joined by Moose, Snake, Deer and many other animals. As each one joins in they proclaim their delight in how the others moves and add, "But I'm not like you. So I'll just do what I can do." This is the best message about inclusion.

[Josie B.]

I can’t wait to read this in Storytime. The joyful, rhyming text encourages movement as it celebrates the differences in how the animals dance. It might be a five star-I won’t know until I can read it to a live audience.

[Sandy Brehl]

Lively, delightful rhymed text, repletion in patterns with onomotapoeia and colorful critters, this is a celebration of how we can befi=different but fully embrace our own identities and special features.

[Emily]

Sweet book where each animal shows off their dance moves, while the next applauds them but is confident in their own unique way of moving and grooving. A great one for encouraging readers to move along.

[Carol Farrington]

This is a fun book in rhyming verse. As a speech therapist I will be using this to teach and out act verbs and also target adjectives. The book shows how great it is to accept whatever someone’s talents and skills are and to accept everyone at their level.

[Edward Sullivan]

Forest animals engage in an impromptu, joyous dance. Energetic and infectious.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU]

A cute story about doing your own thing--together! This books teaches acceptance in the form of dance.

[Joey Gremillion]

Love this for bedtime story reading.

[Christine]

Loved it! Cute rhyming story about dancing animals. I know it'll be a hit at my next story time!!

[Linda Atkinson]

Perfect book for active preK. Would make for a great storytime book.

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Fun, rhythmic read aloud that invites young readers to join in

[Brittany]

This book will have you and your kiddos up and moving!

[Paulette]

Super cute and adorable! The artwork by Raissa Figueroa is utterly fantastic, as always.

[Annie]

Great to read as an interactive, very active, read aloud.

[Elizabeth]

Loved this book - so fun! Would be great for a storytime read aloud as well. My 3.5yo boy loved this book - especially the rhythm!

[Tina Dalton]

A great picture getting your kids up and moving--this would be a fun one for storytime! Its about dance, and how everyone dances to their own beat.

[Andrea]

Nice rhyming text with movement words that would be great for a storytime.

[Y.Poston]

Beautiful story. Delightful & engaging illustrations

[Alyssa Mandell]

A really fun book that features different animals and their different dance moves. A PERFECT book for storytime.