School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-- In classic cumulative tale style with elements added one by one, the narrator shows readers first the bread she baked for Ned, and then--the cheese, the salad, the soup, the olives, tulips in a jug, the two soup bowls and spoons--all prepared for Ned's arrival. When Ned gets home, he brings 13 guests, as well as a few cats and dogs. But there is enough for all, and when the meal is over the guests pitch in and help clean up. The story ends in a satisfying circular way with ``I'll bake again in the morning.'' Glenda, the narrator, offers her Ned food for the soul as well as the stomach, and Seltzer's paintings of both food and people are superlative. Earthy colors are applied opaquely on canvas with the fabric grain showing through. Backgrounds are filled with distinct geometric shapes emphasizing, by contrast, the natural shapes of the earth--the bread, the lettuce, the olives. The braided bread, color and shape, is repeated in a glimpse of the earth through an open window. Definitely a book to savor ``again in the morning,'' and anytime. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, McKinney, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Homey, large-scale paintings and spry cumulative verse describe how a woman prepares dinner for twoÄand how the tables are turned on her. Ages 5-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Fiction: PB In cumulative verse, Glenda prepares a delicious meal for her husband, Ned. Accompanying Ned to dinner are numerous friends who savor the meal and contribute to clean-up efforts. Bold, colorful illustrations add ambiance to the spontaneous party. Horn Rating: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration. Reviewed by: sl (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Ages 4-7. A fellow named Ned gets a nice surprise in this rhythmic story that takes its cue from the expanding lines of "This Is the House That Jack Built": "This is the bread I baked for Ned / baked for Ned in the morning. This is the cheese, round and yellow / to go with the bread I baked for Ned / baked for Ned--what a fellow!-- / baked for Ned in the morning." After the cheese comes salad and soup, but better than that is the crowd at the door, ready to join in a festive, if impromptu, supper--which they graciously help clean up afterward. The event is brought to life in Seltzer's immaculate paintings that use thick, fresh color and simple compositions to set the scenes. An ordinary event made special by the harmonious union of text and art. --Denise Wilms
