Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Author: Bill Martin, JR, and John Archambault

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Date: 1989

Number of pages: 36 pages

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Children's Poetry Picture Book

Summary: This book is one of the best known alphabet books ever written. It tells a tale of members of the alphabet lower case letters (all of them, in fact) traveling up the nearby coconut tree for a variety of reasons. When the tree can no longer support their weight the little letters find themselves splayed out on the ground. Fortunately the big letters come along to comfort the little ones, though it's obvious by the end that not all have learned their lesson.

Verses of the letters' exploits are intermixed with chants like so;
"Chicka chick boom boom!
Will there be enough room?
Here comes H
Up the coconut tree"

The text has a nice rhythmic quality to it. A kind of onomatopoetic elegance. And the illustrations, while not particularly stunning, fulfill their purpose excellently.

My reaction: I loved this book, especially when it was read aloud. The rhythmic manner to which it is read helps teach children the alphabet with poetry. I think the pictures were perfect as not to distract, but also help show children the different letters of the alphabet.

Potential problems: If you cannot rhyme, it may not be a good book for you to read aloud. It flows better if it is read how it was written to be read.

My recommendation: It's a good read-aloud story for kids learning their alphabet, and would fit into any story-time excellently. A fun witty book. If you're looking for the perfect book to teach your children the alphabet or you just simply want an entertaining book that is sure to be a hit, look no further. This is it!