The House That Zack Built

by Alison Murray, Alison Murray (Illustrator)

Overview

A buzzy fly and a mischievous kitten make a mess on the farm in this contemporary twist on a classic rhyme.

This is the fly that
buzzed on by
over the house
that Zack built . . .

Readers in the know may recognize Zack and his trusty dog, Rufus, from Alison Murray’s Hickory Dickory Dog. Now Zack is enjoying a day on the farm, building an amazing house with his blocks. But nearby, a wandering fly has attracted the attention of an inquisitive and determined feline. Stalking and chasing through stylish illustrations, the cat unintentionally creates havoc. Sleeping dog and serene lambs scatter, and the fly lands precariously on top of Zack’s house. What will Zack do? Children will buzz over this delightful read-aloud — and parents and teachers will appreciate Zack’s commonsense clean-up.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763678449
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Alison Murray is the author-illustrator of several books for children, including Hickory Dickory Dog and Princess Penelope and the Runaway Kitten. She lives in Scotland.

Editorial Reviews

This version of the cumulative rhyme includes a dead rat, a tattered man, and a sudden wedding among the verses and preserves—even possibly enhances—the bounce and sway of the original... Pair this title with Simms Taback’s This Is the House that Jack Built (Putnam, 2002) for a storytime filled with fun cumulative tales.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Young listeners will enjoy each crisp, bouncing line as they examine the carefully selected details in the warm, appealing, and colorful depictions of each action-packed segment of the whole event...Perfect for giggling and sharing and right on target for lap-time reading.
—Kirkus Reviews

This version drops the cumulative repetition of the original rhyme, but the spirited rhythm holds true throughout. Bold digital art in warm colors depicts a friendly farm on which Zack, oblivious to the mayhem, continues to build his creation.
—The Horn Book

This British import is a fresh and engaging take on a classic, and the rhythmic retelling is as easy on the ears as the cheerful digital artwork is on the eyes. The barnyard setting and the amusing chain of antics will appeal to preschool and primary grade audiences, and Murray also provides some opportunities for audience participation, such as the repeated references to the “BUZZ”-ing of the fly and the pivotal “blowing the fly away” moment...Add this inviting title to a farm- or fly-themed story hour, use it to talk about cause and effect or sequence of events, or share it as an updated contrast to the traditional rhyme.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A fun...read-aloud.
—Booklist Online

From the Publisher

★ 12/01/2015
PreS-K—Murray brings back Zack, an easygoing mop-haired boy, and his super-cute dog, Rufus, from Hickory Dickory Dog (Candlewick, 2014). This version of the cumulative rhyme includes a dead rat, a tattered man, and a sudden wedding among the verses and preserves—even possibly enhances—the bounce and sway of the original. The trouble starts with a farmyard fly, and an engaging tale ensues: "This is the cat/that stalked the fly/that BUZZED on by,/over the house that Zack built." The rest of the tale involves a pitcher of cream, a sleeping dog, some runaway lambs, and a happy ending. No harm is done, not even to the fly. The colorful, catchy illustrations are high-contrast with large, readable text and lively action (including the wiggly path of the fly) on every page. VERDICT Pair this title with Simms Taback's This Is the House that Jack Built (Putnam, 2002) for a storytime filled with fun cumulative tales.—Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

School Library Journal

2015-11-03
A new version of a beloved classic. In this version of the traditional English nursery rhyme, Zack is building a house out of blocks when mayhem ensues. A fluttering fly is the culprit. It buzzes over, which attracts the cat, who spills some cream, which falls on the dog, who upsets the lambs, and all together this creates a terrible mess on the farm! What can Zack do to save the day? And with all of this going on, will he ever be able to finish building his house? While the cumulative nature of the rhyme is somewhat lost as each new character is introduced, the rhymes are fresh and new and work nearly as well as those in the original. Young listeners will enjoy each crisp, bouncing line as they examine the carefully selected details in the warm, appealing, and colorful depictions of each action-packed segment of the whole event. Murray's digital illustrations feature crisp, pastel backgrounds whose geometricity evokes Esphyr Slobodkina. Human and animal characters created with loose, flowing lines are an effective counterpoint. Perfect for giggling and sharing and right on target for lap-time reading. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews