I occasionally teach a workshop on “Writing the Rollicking Read-Aloud,” so I’m always on the lookout for books to add to my resource list.
I’m happy to share with you the latest addition to that list : WHOOPS! by Suzi Moore and illustrated by Russell Ayto (Templar/Candlewick, 2016).
It starts with a problem: a cat, a dog and a mouse who are speechless. Literally.
Luckily, they get some advice from a wise old owl:
“Find the old lady in the tumbledown house,”
said the owl to the cat and the dog and the mouse.
“She’ll have a spell
to make you all well.”
So they do. And she does.
But is it the right spell?
She went to look at her big spell book.
she cast a spell, and the whole house shook.
The wind blew in,
and the rain came down.
Then the tumbledown house
turned around and around.
That’s where the WHOOPS! comes in. The animals can now speak, but there’s a bit of a problem: The cat clucks. The dog quacks. The mouse cock-a-doodle-doos.
So the little old lady tries again. (WHOOPS!)
And again. (WHOOPS!)
And again. (Yup.)
Each time the old woman’s spell gets more dramatic, until finally:
She went to look
at her big spell book.
She cast a spell,
and the whole house shook.
There was a sparkle
and a crackle
and a thundering sound.
There was a FLASH!
and a CRASH!
and a rumbling sound.
There was a BANG!
and a CLANG!
Then the sky turned brown.
The wind blew in
and the rain came down.
Then the tumbledown house
turned around and around.
Wow, that’s some powerful magic! Did it work?
Well . . . sorta. But no spoilers here. You’re just going to have to get your hands on a copy.
So why do I love this as a read-aloud?
- Engaging story. There’s a problem to be solved and plenty of suspense along the way (underscored by the masterful use of page turns).
- Musical rhyme. The meter is not entirely consistent, but somehow it works for this story.
- Repetition. Several lines—and the WHOOPS!—are repeated throughout, allowing kids to pick up on the pattern and join in.
- Lively language. The story is packed with sound effects, animal noises, and all sorts of fun-to-say words.
- Wacky humor, with a classic “Ha!” ending.
- Appealing art. Color-drenched pages, lots of action, a few explosions, and a charming cast of wry, big-eyed animals (and one eccentric witch).
Read any great read-alouds lately? I’d love to hear.
——– Giveaway Winners ————-
The winners of last month’s giveaway are Rebecca Levington and Midge Ballou Smith. Each will receive a copy of Ella WHO? and the RAIN! board book. Thanks for all the comments!
This looks like fun! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks, Linda!
Thanks for reading, Katrina!
I love your book selection. The musical feel makes for fun reading.
It really is a fun and musical read, Judy!
Just shared this on twitter. I love the sound of this story!
Thanks so much for sharing, Kim! 🙂
This looks like such a fun read-aloud. Can’t believe I haven’t seen this featured anywhere yet. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, check it out, Patricia! I think you’ll like it.
This sounds like SUCH a fun story to read! I think kids will love it. I know I’M looking forward to reading it!
It’s so much fun, Lori. Check it out!
Thanks for the post! The words and the images are enticing.
They are enticing, LoriAnn. I agree!
Adorable and hilarious – illustrations are perfect, too! I am going to read this ASAP.
I agree about the illustrations, Carole. Perfect!
So fun! I am putting that one on my list. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for reading, Elizabeth!
This one looks like a sure winner! Thanks for sharing. I’ll be looking for it!
It is, Danielle. Check it out!
Sounds perfect for a spring-storm toddler storytime!
It is, Julie! I bet they’d love it. 🙂
Oh, too fun! Must get this one. 🙂
It really is, Jill. I think you’ll get a kick out of it.
Great selection. It’s going on my “to read” list! Thanks!
Thanks for reading, Judy!
Nice!! Thanks for the post. ♡
Thanks for reading, Sharon!
This sounds like so much fun! Just requested it from my library!
I think you’ll like it, Debra. Thanks for reading, and thanks so much for your nice note–a nice surprise to find in my mailbox! 🙂
Thanks, Linda! I’m requesting this one now! One of my favorite 2017 rhymers is SPUNKY LITTLE MONKEY by Michael Sampson and Bill Martin, Jr., illustrated by Brian Won. The rhythm is irresistible.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Sue. I’ll definitely check it out. Love the title!
This looks like a fun read–will check it out. Thank you!
It absolutely is. Thanks, Buffy!
Adding to my to-read list now!
Great! Thanks for reading, Angela!
I would have a ball reading this book to preschoolers and first graders. Thanks for the post!
I think they’d love it, Kathy!
I’ll go look for this and the SPUNKY LITTLE MONKEY that Sue mentioned above. Fun!
Yes, I’m going to check out SPUNKY too, Cathy. Sounds so cute!
Thanks, Linda! This looks like a “must have!”
It is, Mary. Check it out!
Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the heads up!
You’re welcome, Susan. Thanks for reading!
This looks like such a clever and fun book. Thanks for your explanation of why it works so well as a read-aloud. I can’t wit to read it aloud to some little friends.
I bet they’ll love it, Claire. And you’ll have fun reading it!
This looks like a good one! Thanks for sharing, Linda!
I bet you’ll enjoy it, Rachel. It’s really fun to read.
Oh yeah! this looks great! Will check it out.
I bet you’d appreciate it, Kevan. The art is pretty hilarious too.
Whoops! sounds like a lot of fun to read. I’ll be looking for it.
Yes, Kathy. Check it out!
Wow! This book sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Kris!
I already know we’re going to love this book. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks so much!
Wonderful! Thanks for reading, Linda!
This sounds like a wonderful read-aloud! I can’t wait to try it out.
I bet you’ll enjoy it, Patricia!
What a kick! A fun rhymer, and I love those blank black speech bubbles. Thanks for book introduction.
Don’t you love those? I love the expressions on the animals faces throughout. So funny. Thanks, Heather!
Whoops! is a read aloud favorite of mine, too. A couple of other fun read alouds at my house in the past few months were I Am Not a Chair by Ross Burach (2017) and I Am Trying to Love Spiders (2015) by Bethany Barton.
Thanks so much for the referrals, LeeAnn. I will definitely check them out! 🙂
Oh, I love this book! Thanks for your great post and pointing out what makes this book so fun!
It’s so fun, Jennifer. Just a great pairing of text and art.
Perfect rhyme and rhythm. I love it. I cannot wait to check it out.
I bet you’ll really like it, Cassie!
This sounds fantastic! I’m going to find this and read it to my kinder class!
Oh, fun, Andrea! Let me know what they think!
Yay! My library has several copies so I put one on hold. Can’t wait to read it.