Author: Karen Beaumont AlarcónIllustrator: Rosanne Litzinger
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, 1997
Genre: fiction
Themes: lost and found possessions, pigs, stories in rhyme
Age Level: 2-6
Opening: Louella Mae, she’s run away!
Look in the cornfields! Look in the hay! Where, oh, where, is Louella Mae?
Look in the cornfields! Look in the hay! Where, oh, where, is Louella Mae?
Synopsis: A growing crowd searches all around the farm for the missing Loella Mae. A playful story with a surprise ending!
Why I like this book: No surprise here: I was attracted to the beautiful artwork of this skilled watercolorist. Litzinger possesses an ability to create action, emotion, chaos and tranquility with few lines and detail, and fabulous color sensitivity. But this is a book I borrow from the library often to remind myself of the perfection in sound, repetition, rhythm and pacing with just 255 words (you bet, I typed this one out!). If I haven’t convinced you to look for this book yet read the following text from one of the spreads: Run tell the neighbors and y’all give a yell ‘fore she wanders off yonder and falls in the… (Gotcha!)
Resource/Activity: Animal Lost and Found: online educational game from PBS; treasure/scavenger hunt ideas for classroom or home.
For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog every day!
julie rowan-zoch 
Oh this looks like loads of fun, brought a huge smile to my face. Must have a look for it in my library today. Thanks Julie!
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So glad Diane!
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Love the rhythm. I haven’t tried rhyming in ages. This is cute!
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What! Somehow I picture you speaking in rhyme all the time! And I hear your kids answering in rhyme too!
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Oh I do talk in rhyme lol. I meant my mss 🙂
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Just tried a rhyming again, with a linear mss. It was a good thing I had ‘let it go’ for a while!
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Cool!
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You felt the breeze!
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I know there’s always a lot of chatter about shorter books, but isn’t it brilliant when you find a story like this? Sounds tight, beautiful and perfect. We’ll check it out.
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And it was written 15 years ago!
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This is a fun one, Julie. It’s my goal to someday write a PB under 300 words. A true challenge for a wordy girl like me. I’ll look this one up…thanks!
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If we lived closer I’d say we need to get together – I worry that all mine are so short!
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What a delightful pick Julie. I love the cover and can only imagine the illustrations! Bet te kids have fun reading it. Will look it up.
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I’m sure the kids will like it!
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Haven’t seen this one before…it looks fun! Will definitely be adding it to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!
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15 yrs old and fresh as a daisy!
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Love the rhythmic quality of the text. Looks like it a fun read. Will definitely be checking this one out. I think my 4yr old would enjoy looking for Louella May. Thaks!
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How can you not love the name! Look for the inspiration for this book in the back!
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I think we’re going to look for this one. I don’t know who Louella Mae is, but I like her name. And that picture on the cover is sure enticing. Everybody is looking for her, so she must be pretty special. And I like any story that has Rhythm! Thanks for suggesting this one!
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The family dog is in on this search too!
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This is right up my alley. Only 255 words??? Sounds like one I need to study for word choice and rhyme! I hope my library has it!…..2 minutes later…..I checked! I can get it through inter-library loan. I put it on hold so I should have it soon!!!
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I so hope you like this one – do let me know!
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This sounds delightful, Julie! Thanks so much for sharing it. I love books like this. And you are right – the art is wonderful! (judging by the cover… which I know you’re not supposed to do with books :))
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I do! When I get a pile from the library I sort them but what I think might be a good book, just by the cover. That gives me insight into what makes a good cover and title!
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