The House That Zack Built

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.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 OnlineAlison 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.