#365PictureBooks 15. What can you Stack on the Back of a Yak? by Alison Green, illustrated by Adam Stower

Green, A. (2013). What can you Stack on the Back of a Yak? London, UK: Alison Green Books.

ISBN: 978775432555
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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Captain Quack and his trusty yak

deliver the post to the mountains and back. 

Well ... that's what is supposed to happen.  Yak's playful antics keep getting him in trouble and Captain Quack just cannot keep him on track.  Along the way yak looses his load of parcels but picks up a collection of lost and tired creatures.  Find out what happens when he finally makes it to the top of the track.

This is a humorous and catchy rhyming tale with lots of repetition making it a great read-aloud.  It's also a counting book.  Green's love of wordplay is evident in this fantastic tale of Captain Quack and his Yak.

The text has been presented in 'typewriter' font, making it stand out from the majority of other picture storybooks.  It's a refreshing change.  And easy to read.

The illustrations are done in muted watercolours, the majority of which are full page illustrations.  These are intermingled with images on a solid white background, which help draw your eye to what is important.  Stower's illustrations tie in perfectly with Green's rhyme.  I just love the look of fuming annoyance on Captain Quack's face when he can't control Yak.  And the look of joy on Yak's face when he keeps coming up with ways to play.  Gorgeous!  And once everyone is loaded on Yak's back he's so tall that you have to turn the page to see everyone. 

This is a fantastic read-aloud, and I am looking forward to reading it to ALL our classes this year.  The younger kids will enjoy listening to it, and I can see our older kids having fun trying to get their tongues around some of the rhymes and reading it to their little buddies.  

I got my copy of What can you Stack on the Back of a Yak? from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.