If Lisa Wheeler writes a book, I am going to read it ASAP. Today I am reviewing one of my favorites. (I realize this is a great Halloween book, but I enjoy reading it any time of the year. I’m telling you about it now because if you wait until October to check it out of the library, chances are there will not be a copy available. So reserve it early!)
Boogie Knights
Written by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated by Mark Siegel
Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books 2008
Fiction for Ages 4 and up
Themes: Holidays
Synopsis: (from Goodreads) In this rip-roaring picture book, readers are invited to the party of the year, as all monsters large and small throw the most outrageous, most bodacious bash of them all–the Madcap Monster Ball.
Opening: It is midnight,
and the moonlight’s
shining down upon the moors
while the rascals
in the castle
jangle chains and rattle doors.
Seven zzzzing—
never seeing—
creeps are creeping through the hall,
down the stairway,
making their way
to the Madcap Monster Ball!
HERE is a really interested video for anyone interested in the making of Boogie Knights. Lisa Wheeler and Mark Siegel talk about creating this delightful book.
Resources: I didn’t find resources on the Internet, but I have a couple of suggestions.
- There are several different dance moves mentioned in the story. Have children pantomime the dance moves.
- Have younger children use the template HERE to make a knight helmet.
- Older children might want to make an origami helmet. HERE are folding instructions.
- The knights all have unique names. (I mention these in the next part of my review.) Older students can talk about the wordplay used in the names and how the illustrations carry this out.
Why I Like This Book: The rhyme is sublime! It makes you want to party and boogie! There is plenty of pleasing alliteration which makes this book a delightful read aloud. Wordplay abounds! Just look at the knights’ names—Sir Veillance, Sir Prize, Sir Loin, Sir Round, Sir Cumference, Sir Ender, and his twin, Sir Vivor. See??? Wordplay abounds! You can tell from the cover image that the illustrations are perfect for a Madcap Monster Ball…plus there is a bonus story in the pictures that adds another element to the story. You must read ASAP!
Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, or just looking for a great book to read. Click on the Perfect Picture Book Friday tab and browse to your heart’s content.
Oh! I love this book just from your post!! I am dancing with glee! The video is an added treat. Thanks for sharing it all!
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Happy to get you dancing! The video is an added treat. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.
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This really sounds like a fun stand-out book! Very interesting wordplay. Sounds like something you would write. Enjoyed watching the video!
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Glad you enjoyed the video, Pat. Oh…I wish I’d written it :•)
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This book looks like tons of fun, Penny, and you’re right – the rhyme is sublime! It makes you feel like dancing 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this one!
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It has a lot of fun dance words in it. These seven knights really rock out :•)
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Oh how I love Lisa Wheeler. This looks like a fun one.
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She’s great, isn’t she?? An exceptional rhymer!
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I love the Knight’s names’! Sir Veilance , Sir Cumferance, Sir Loin, Sir Prize, etc. 😀
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I know!! They’re so clever!
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When I saw the title for this on Susanna’s blog, I thought this must be Penny’s…lol. Cute, and love the video too.
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Thanks. I thought the video was very interesting. I love hearing about how picture books come to life.
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What a pleasure to read such good rhyme!
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Glad you enjoyed the snippet!
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I love Lisa Wheeler’s rhyme so much. Thanks for sharing a new one for me.
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Hope your library has it Catherine. It’s a treat.
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Thank-you for your pick this week. What fun! I haven’t read this one of Lisa’s, but I agree with you. Her rhyme is worth reading again, and again, and again! ‘Can’t get this one locally, I’ll have to check the bookstore.
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Hope you find it Joanne. It’s worth the effort!
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Another fun book focusing on words. . .thanks for posting, Penny!
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m still making my way around to all the fun picks for PPBF.
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Sublime sounds. Sounds sublime.
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Exactly!!!
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Wordplay? Knights? Dancing monsters? Lemme at this book!
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It really has all that and more, Beth! It’s a good one 🙂
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I read the opening you posted aloud and it is tongue twisting fun! Can’t believe I haven’t seen this one before (maybe I thought it was about the nasty kind of boogies and didn’t pick it up!).
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Ha! Talk about wordplay, Wendy! boogies and pick!
This is definitely the dancing kind of boogie! I think you’ll love it!
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I LOVE monster books! And you are right, I have to get this ASAP.
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I LOVE monster books, too. And Halloween books. Combining the knights with the Madcap Monster Ball adds that something extra that makes it such a great book!
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Thanks, Penny! 🙂
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I took your advice and reserved it at the library right now 🙂
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Love the puns – masterful! And the video was lots of fun.
My youngest never liked “bone-guys” or “bandage guys” (skeletons and mummies) so we skipped over a lot of spooky Halloween stories. I’ll sneak a peek at this one for the holiday!
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With all your clever wordplay, Cathy, I think this one will be right up your alley!
So he called them “bone-guys” and“bandage guys”? That’s hilarious!
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The rhymes ARE sublime! I don’t know this book, but it sounds like a great read- especially for pun loving adults like me 🙂 I’m running to check it out!
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I think you will really have fun reading it, Iza! It sure tickled my funny bone!
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