Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! written by Candace Fleming. illustrated by G. Brian Karas. 2002. 48p. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. (0689831528).

Author Website: www.candacefleming.com

Illustrator Website: www.gbriankaras.com

Medium: gouache and acrylic with pencil

Awards and Honors: ALA Children's Notable Book, Arizona Young Reader's Award, 2004, Book-Of-The-Month Club featured selection, Buckeye (Ohio) Children's Book Award Nominee 2005, California Young Reader Medal Winner 2004-2005, Capitol Choices (Washington DC) Book 2002, Junior Library Guild Selection, Kentucky Bluegrass State Award Nominee 2004-2005, Maryland State Book Award Nominee 2004-2005, Monarch Award, Illinois K-3 Children's Choice Award Nominee 2005-2006, New York Public Library 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know, New York Public Library Best Books for Reading and Sharing 2002, North Carolina State Book Award Nominee 2004-2005,

Pennsylvania State Book Award Nominee 2005-2006, School Library Journal Best Book, Stockport School 's Book Award (shortlist), Washington State Children's Choice Picture Book Award Nominee 2004-2005

Audience: 3 to 8

Annotation: 

Mr. McGreely plants a garden and can't wait to gobble up all the yummy vegetables, but three hungry bunnies disrupt his plans.

Personal Reaction:

Mr. McGreely has always dreamed of having a vegetable patch, so one spring he decides to plant the garden he has always wanted. But his dreams are soon interrupted by three hungry bunnies who appear in the night to nibble his sprouts. Mr. McGreely builds a small wire fence, a tall wooden wall, a deep wet trench, and a huge brick wall to keep the intruders out, but the tricky bunnies always find a way to get around the obstacles. Finally when Mr. McGreely realizes that he can't outsmart the bunnies, he decides to share with them.

Candace Fleming builds the story with a rhythmic repetition and plenty of onomatopoeic language, making it an excellent read aloud. Kids love chiming in with the repeated lines- especially the "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" as the bunnies eat the veggies. Brian Karas's loose gouache and pencil drawings complement the story, creating a wonderfully fun picture book for kids.