Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho

August 1, 2024
A Christmas edition of the beloved alphabet book. The story starts off nearly identically toChicka Chicka Boom Boom (1989), written by John Archambault and the late Bill Martin Jr, with the letters A, B, and C deciding to meet in the branches of a tree. This time, they're attempting to scale a Christmas tree, not a coconut tree, and the letters are strung together like garland. A, B, and C are joined by the other letters, and of course they all "slip, slop, topple, plop!" right down the tree. At the bottom, they discover an assortment of gifts, all in a variety of shapes. As a team, the letters and presents organize themselves to get back up on the Christmas tree and get a star to the top. Holiday iterations of favorite tales often fall flat, but this take succeeds. The gifts are an easy way to reinforce another preschool concept--shapes--and the text uses just enough of the original to be familiar. The rhyming works, sticking to the cadence of the source material. The illustrations pay homage to the late Lois Ehlert's, featuring the same bold block letters, though they lack some of the whimsy and personality of the original. Otherwise, everything is similarly brightly colored and simply drawn. Those familiar with the classic will be drawn to this one, but newcomers can enjoy it on its own. A successful swap from coconut tree to Christmas tree.(Picture book. 3-5)

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October 4, 2024

PreS-Gr 3-The familiar rhyme and bright colors of the classic title Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert, are alive and well in this companion. Boniface captures Martin's rhythm and rhyme, adding his own twist with a holiday theme. Fans of the coconut tree will not be disappointed with the Christmas tree. The memorable "A told B, and B told C" kicks off the holiday fun, as the letters attempt to hang around the Christmas tree. The entire alphabet makes it, but then-"oh, no!"-the tree bends over, and they all fall off. With the help of a mysterious red-suited figure and some geometrically shaped presents, the lowercase letters find their way back up the tree in an orderly fashion and place a glittery star on top. The book provides letter practice, but Boniface also includes the presents' shape names within the rhyme, providing opportunities for children to match the names to the shapes. Chung's illustrations are almost identical in feel and liveliness to Ehlert's paper-cut art, and the bold colors resonate with holiday merriment and joy. VERDICT Fans of the original will enjoy this Christmas rhyme just as much.-Cassie Veselovsky

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