Perfect Picture Book Friday-Boogie Knights

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

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

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.

34 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday-Boogie Knights”

  9. 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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  13. 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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  16. 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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