Date read is a rough approximation. Most of my memories of this book concern my mother reading it to my youngest nephew when he was two or so. She's a great reader, and it was a treat watching the tyke laugh and laugh as she read it to him. However, I think she sometimes regrets being so good at these kinds of things because he wanted it read over and over and over again. But she's a good sport and went along for a couple of rounds. I'm also quite good at reading to the kids, and they love my voices, but I'm not as nice as mama about the reread requests and just kick the kids into the other room when I'm tired of it. 
 Anyway, this book is awesome and a great one to read out loud with the chillun, especially if you do it right. Five well-earned stars.