Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho

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.