Module 3 Book Review of "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!"

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Martin, Bill. Illustrated by Lois Ehlert. (1989). Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0-671-67949-X.

Synopsis:

All the letters of the alphabet slowly dance up toward the top of the coconut tree, to the beat of a rhythmic poem. Before you know it, there are too many letters, and they all come crashing down to the ground.

My Impression of the Book:

Catchy title, and fun brightly colored illustrations. I am often wary of books that have a lot of rhyming in them. However, this particular book, once I began to read it out-loud, I found that I was singing along to the tune of “the co-co-nut tree.” What a fun book for pre-schoolers! The reader can make up any tune they want, and sing the words. As I read the words, the alphabet letters dance across the bottom of the page, and climb up into “the co-co-nut tree.” What a hoot!

Uses Within a Library Environment:

This book would be perfect for a story time program. If the library has some simple musical instruments, you could pass them out to the kids, and at certain intervals, the kids could chime in with a different sound.

Awards and Reviews:

• ALA Notable Children's Books

• Biennale Of Illustrations Bratislava

• Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book

• School Library Journal: "What makes this already educational & beloved children's book such a delightful video is the music ... a song, with a toe-tapping, finger snapping, danceable melody."

• Booklist: “Perky calypso music is just the right accompaniment for this lively alphabet rhyme...Lois Ehlert’s whimsical illustrations, repetition of sounds, and catchy music are sure to have tots singing along to this animated book adaptation.”

• Chicago Tribune: “…a lively way for little ones to learn the alphabet.”

• Lois Ehlert is an award-winning illustrator, who has also both written and illustrated a number of books, including Color Zoo, a 1990 Caldecott Honor Book. She specializes in collage. Some of my other favorite Ehlert books are Growing Vegetable Soup, Planting a Rainbow, Hands, and Leaf Man.