Chicka Chicka boom boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Written by: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault Illustrations by: Lois Ehlert
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is not just any ABC book. This ABC book actually has a plot that implements all the letters of the alphabet. The story starts out with A, B, and C meeting at the top of a coconut tree and leads to all the other letters meeting there soon after but as well all know, one little tree cant hold up 26 letters. At the end of the story all the letters get to the top only to fall all the way down. No sweat though, all 26 letters got right back up the coconut tree now with injuries (that obviously) didn’t stop them such as “skinned knee D and stubbed-toe E and patched-up F. Then comes G all out of breath” all made their way and soon followed the rest until they all got to the top and saw a full moon.
This book is a great way to reinforce the alphabet with previous but fresh learners but shouldn’t be used to teach the alphabet. The reason that it should only be used to reinforce the alphabet is because of its focus on plot and story rather then the actual learning of the alphabet. There are no pictures to go with a certain letter such as a apple for A or a Banana for B instead they focus on the rhythmic scheme of the letters which brings me to the strengths of the book. This book has bright, simple pictures that do include the 26 letters of the alphabet to follow the story line and catch the reader’s attention. The book also has fun rhymes and a musical touch by adding the phrase Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, which pops up every couple of pages. I would recommend using this book in class for a fun review for children who just learned the alphabet because its gives character to the letters and could be made into great participation book if wanted.