Wood-Hoopoe Willie [Hardcover]

Virginia Kroll (Author), Katherine Roundtree (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1993 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"An effective interweaving of wholesome family dynamics and African heritage.... Roundtree's colorful, realistic illustrations glow with life".

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Willie, a spirited African American child, can't seem to keep his feet or hands still: "If his toes weren't tapping, his knuckles were rapping." The boy's incessant, impromptu music-making makes his Grandpa recall the dundun drums , ecasas and balas that he saw on a trip to Africa. Willie longs to play these handmade instruments of his ancestors, and finally gets his chance during the Kwanzaa festival at the African-American Center. The boy fills in for a missing drummer, thus freeing the wood-hoopoe--an African bird whose tree-pecking and cackling creates rhythmic music--that Grandpa insists has been trapped within him. Kroll's ( Masai and I ) melodic tale conveys the warmth among Willie's loving family as well as the musical legacy of several African peoples. Past and present fuse gracefully in Roundtree's boldly hued art--though the characters' faces are somewhat rudimentarily executed, the artist's depiction of the traditional instruments and dress of Africa is particularly striking. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Willie is one of those children who, wherever they are and whatever they're doing, raps and knocks, shakes and taps. His parents aren't unsympathetic, though they often remind him that the time or place--church, a Chinese restaurant, school--is inappropriate, and sometimes they lose patience. Daddy asks, ``Have you got a loose switch somewhere?'' while even Grandma scolds, ``William, that will do!'' Grandpa, however, sees Willie's incessant preoccupation as an opportunity to recall the family's roots, describing instruments he once saw on a visit to Africa and suggesting that there's a wood-hoopoe inside Willie, pecking its African rhythms. The conclusion is pat but satisfying: the drummer can't make it to the African-American Center for the fifth night of Kwanzaa (the celebration of Nia, or purpose), and Willie proudly takes his place. An effective interweaving of wholesome family dynamics and African heritage in the context of the observance of Kwanzaa; Roundtree's colorful realistic illustrations glow with life. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881064092
• ISBN-13: 978-0881064094
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,535,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Kroll is the author of over fifty books for children and winner of a 2004 Children's choice award. A former elementary school teacher, she lives in New York with her husband and has raised six children of her own.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Book for Kwanzaa, February 6, 2010

By 

M. Wenger "hiker girl" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wood-Hoopoe Willie (Paperback)

I purchased this book to use in my 5th grade class during December when we talk about Kwanzaa. It is a very good book for the intermediate level. The story is wonderful and the illustrations are beautiful- very colorful. The spirit of the holiday definitely comes through.