Baby book review: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Baby librarian Tilly and her mum Jen review the classic children’s book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert.

Tilly reviews Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

I love this book! It’s one of my favourite books right now. I often bring the book to Mummy or Daddy and say ‘boom boom’ which is their cue to start reading. It’s so fun to listen to and the book is very colourful and good to look at. And when we finish the book, Mummy and Daddy sing the alphabet song, which I like. Mummy always grimaces when I bring her the book. I don’t know why. It’s such a great book!

Jen reviews Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Yet another controversial kid lit opinion: I don’t like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I think it’s a horrible book to read aloud. I think this is for two main reasons: I don’t like made up words (which is one of the reasons why I HATE ‘Pajama Time’ by Sandra Boynton – what the hell kind of word is ‘pajammy’?! Ugh), and I don’t have an American accent, so there are a number of spots where things should rhyme and flow do not rhyme and flow. Aunts and pants do not rhyme, and ‘z’ is pronounced ‘zed’ when I read this book aloud. I also don’t understand what ‘chicka chicka boom boom’ means. The ending of this book makes zero sense to me. Unfortunately, Tilly seems to quite enjoy this book so I’m stuck with reading aloud awkwardly not-rhyming prose for a little bit longer.

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