2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Catchy Book for Preschoolers, September 30, 2009
This review is from: How Do You Wokka-Wokka? (Hardcover)
HOW DO YOU WOKKA-WOKKA? by Elizabeth Bluemle and illustrated by Randy Cecil is a delightful book for preschooler and kindergartners. Since Booking Son is the ideal age for the book, I was very excited to read it to him yesterday afternoon. I definitely enjoyed reading this fun book, and I liked the message about just jumping in and doing the wokka-wokka with all your neighbors.
While Booking Son liked the book, he didn't go so far as to say that he loved it. When I asked him some questions about it, he said that the thought the book was silly -- I think that was the intent! He also said that he liked some of the crazy, mixed-up words and that I sounded funny when I read it. I asked him if he liked to wokka-wokka, and he just kind of shrugged. I thought that was ironic because he often times copies his older sister while she does her hip-hop dances!
Besides the cute story with the catchy rhythms, I also liked the appearance of the book. I thought the illustrations were very cute, and I loved how the illustrator managed to capture the essence of the fun times with the drawings of the kids. I also really liked the large font and the way the words curved around the pictures.
As a mother, I really appreciated the message in this story. I'm not sure my son picked up on it the first time we read it, but I like that kids will see that it's okay to just wokka-wokka -- by that I mean, it's okay to be yourself and let your personality shine. Another terrific thing about this book was that the story took place in an urban environment and the kids were of diverse ethnic backgrounds. I appreciated that the story showed a bunch of different people coming together, letting loose and just having fun.
I recommend HOW DO YOU WOKKA-WOKKA? for preschoolers, especially as a read-aloud book during story time. I think catchy jazz-like phrases and the message that you can show your individuality will appeal to many youngsters as well as adults.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ya gotta!, September 16, 2009
This review is from: How Do You Wokka-Wokka? (Hardcover)
All I can say is...kids love this book! K-gr. 4. Great for movement activities and pattern writing! Ya GOTTA wokka-wokka!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Catchy, giggle-inducing fun with your little one!, November 1, 2010
HOW DO YOU WOKKA-WOKKA is like Elizabeth Bluemle's "Dogs on the Bed" in that it depends on a steady, almost-musical rhythm as you read it for it to really work. Unlike the other book, however, the words are often made-up, and it definitely reads better aloud than silently. The illustrations contribute to the feel that the story is just a great big block party in two dimensions, gathering steam with every turn of the page. The characters span a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, and as other reviewers have mentioned, the subtext is the "it's cool to do your own thing" message.
However, my kiddo cares about none of that. What she likes is that reading this book aloud is FUN. It makes her giggle and dance and make up songs and rhymes. It's not her Very Favorite Book, but she's happy to re-discover it when browsing her bookshelf, and she's now eager to read it to her younger sibling. If you aren't ready to be silly and uninhibited as you read, find something else. But if that sounds like your cuppa tea (and your kid's), this is a great buy.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
