Book excerpt: Join Rufus and his motley canine crew on opening night as they act out fourteen silly, tongue-twisting nursery rhymes. Giggle as Stella plays Wild Wilma Winkles and hula hoops the night away; laugh as Mops acts out frazzled, flustered Dr. Foster's fight against the flu; and hoot as Rufus hilariously hams it up as Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy. Best-selling author/illustrator Iza Trapani has extended each poem, playing with the sounds and rhythms that make language so much fun for young readers and help to build phonemic awareness. Children will also love looking on each page for hidden pictures that begin with the featured letter from the alliterative poems.