Boom Chicka Rock

Chicka Chicka #3

by John Archambault, Suzanne Tanner Chitwood (Illustrator)

From the co-author of the bestselling Chicka Chicka Boom Boom comes this adorable counting adventure for children of all ages!  Suzanne Tanner Chitwood's colorful collage artwork features mischievous mice dancing through the story.  Readers can count down the Congo Line and tally up the Tangoing, Tip-Toeing mice on every page, and learn about time, too! A rollicking, rhythmic romp through the numbers.  Read it out loud-it rocks.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Mathematics, Counting, Fiction, Number

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Most well known for his best-selling classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom which he wrote and dedicated to his son, Arie Alexander Archambault, 15 years ago when he was the “new baby boom boom.” By all accounts John Archambault is a modern day alchemist. In medieval days the alchemists were said to have secret knowledge enabling them to turn base metals into gold. Archambault does something no less amazing; he turn something that many children dread: learning, into a magical experience. John’s work motivated kids to turn off the TV and get turned on to the magical worlds that reading can deliver. “I have a passion for bringing words to life. I stir rhythm, rhyme, and whimsy, stringing words so that a melody is created, then kids can ride along on this musical river.”
John is developing a series of Big Books (shared reading) for Childcraft Education Corporation, incorporating musical CDs with read-along and sing-along styles to help early readers develop fluency and intuitive associations with print while making the experience fun, affective, and effective. Some of the titles to be published are: I Love the Mountains, Turtle Song, Grandmother’s Garden, The Birth of a Whale, Freedom’s Dream and several titles devoted to singable, readable Mother Goose. Archambault collaborated extensively with Bill Martin Jr. and together they created the landmark supplemental reading program, the Sounds of Language.
Archambault has become fascinated with brain research involving the power of music, most notably The Mozart Effect by Don G. Campbell. “We all know that kids love music but studies show that music may strengthen the mind, aiding learning and membory.” To that end, Archambault has six music compilations on CD available through Youngheart Music performed with British recording artist and partner, David Plummer. Titles include Painting My World and Dancing on the Moon.
In addition to the CDs, Archambault has authored and co-authored over 20 books. Several have won awards including Parent’s Choice, ALA Notable Children’s book, Kentucky Blue Grass, and the American Library Association awards. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (Aladdin Library, 2000) was recently chosen to be included in the 21st Century Literature Collection along with such famous titles as Curious George and Madeline. Archambault’s works have appeared as featured selections on the PBS shows “Reading Rainbow” and “Storytime.”

Reviews

[Lex · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book couldn't hold my son's attention, because the abstract art images (which I actually liked) didn't make sense to him--he couldn't tell that the scrappy black blob featured throughout the story is actually a cat that should've been creating suspense as the mouse danced around his sleeping form. I tried over and over to convince my son it was a cat, but he insists, still, "NO, Mommy--it's a hole with a rip!"

Also, the text rhymes, but not in any particular meter, so the rhythm is off. Try reading it to a beat, and you have to change beats after every line or so . . . it made the reading stall as I paused or added syllables in an effort to keep some semblance of rhythm as I read (sigh).

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! I was almost tempted to rap the entire book rather than just read through because of the way the words rhymed (however, they didn't always flow together so well) :P On a more serious note though, I absolutely love this book and wish it was available when I was a kid! It's so fun - much better than the original in my opinion - and I love the abstract illustrations. However, on that note, the three year old I babysit did not like this book at all. She couldn't tell what the images were and would always interrupt me to ask what things were, and she just overall wasn't very interested in the story. She loves the first book much better than this one. I loved it though, and will be purchasing it soon to add to my growing collection of children's books (:

Boom chicka rock, chicka rock, chicka boom!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia loved (loves?) Chicka Chick Boom Boom and this one has the same clever lines and bouncy rhythmic words. My favorite line: "I'm with you," said Number TWO. "My left foot's dancing in my right-foot shoe!" A new story to back up the old adage, While the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at our library sale for my 3-year old, and she really enjoyed it. She has learned how to recognize numbers, which made this book much more enjoyable.

This book had some fun rhymes, and unique illustrations. We had fun reading this book, and are pleased to add it to the collection.

This is a great book for helping kids learn how to count or recognize numbers.

[Heather Knight]

This is a book about twelve mice that live in a clock. One night all of the mice sneak out of the clock and past the house cat. The mice go for the leftover cereal, and the birthday cake. Some of the mice show their fear of the cat, but are reassured that he is asleep and that they can get around him. Eventually the cat wakes up and the mice have to run back to the clock and settle in at midnight. The book is told in almost a sing song way.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to read and had flowed really nicely.

This book would be a great resource for teaching rhyming and imagination.

[Bailie Mahuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boom Chicka Rock was a fun rhyming book that can teach children about time. The twelve little mice in the story are running away from a cat. As they run away they are taking a journey all throughout the kitchen. At first, I did not realize or notice that it was about time but reading it again and seeing the illustrations in detail helped me make that connection. What made the book fun to read was the onomatopoeia that was used on almost every page. For example, "rickety-rock", "roar", and my favorite one to say, "Boom Chicka Rock, Chicka Rock, Chicka Boom!" This is a fun book read aloud book!

[Hannah Wright]

This book is about 12 mice who are the numbers on the clock. While the cat is asleep, they go looking for food in the kitchen. They find cake, strawberries, and cereal. They try to be quiet, so they do not wake up the cat. They have to be back in the clock by midnight, and they make it just in time. I love this book; it is such a fun one to read to kids. I also love the jingle the mice sing. This can be used in the classroom as an introduction to teach the students how to tell time. It can help get the kids excited to learn!

[Alice V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging read aloud book for me. I've tried reading it to groups 3-4 times, and still struggle with it. Some of the book is rhyming, but not all. The cadence was hard to get a hold of. That said, students enjoyed the stunts and scrapes the mice got into, and eventually joined me for the "refrain". If you're going to use it for a read aloud, I'd suggest you practice a couple of times first.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite fun, but not sure how this would play out with young children. It took me a while to distinguish the image of the cat curled up asleep and on the first page I thought the mouse was dancing on a yarmulka and I was trying to figure out how that fit in. I will give this a try with my seven and five year old grandkids and see what happens. I know they will enjoy jumping, dancing and counting.

[Emily Heid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the words it used. I think the repetitive phrase "Boom Chicka Rock, Chicka Rck, Chicka Boom!" would be fun for young kiddos. I can imagine them shouting it out loud as a class. I do think the illustrations might not be the students favorite, but they are definitely creative. I think this book could be read when learning about time in the classroom.

[Tessa Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story that helps children learn to tell time by using numbered mice. As the mice are running away from the cat, they tell a story of the time. This is a great story to help children with learning time and a great read along story.

[Morgan Pyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this book was in a "blown up" version it would be great for a shared reading experience. This book teaches children how to count, tell time as well as rhyme all through a huge game of cat-and-mouse!

[Travis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't get it. The book almost rhymes but not always. It almost has a consistent meter but not always. It's about numbers, or is it about clocks? Maybe about dance styles?

All over the place, incoherent, incomprehensible children's book.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rhyming tale that depicts the hours on the clock come to life as mice and have a rollicking party while the cat sleeps. I like the lyrical rhythm of the narrative, but the book is a bit confusing . The illustrations are fun, although a bit rudimentary for my taste.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting book.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t care for it
Poor illustrations
Didn’t read well

[Courtney Thrift · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells a story of mice, running around eating cake, and avoiding the cat.

I do not like that this story is hard to follow. I do not think students would be able to read and take from this book alone.
I do think that the rhyming makes for an entertaining read aloud.
The mice are numbered and the story corresponds with the clock.

I do think this book opens up the door for great activities in the classroom. I would like to use the mice and the clock to work on number identification. I also think it is great when learning how numbers and time work together!

[Sean Musselman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrations are nifty, but the book doesn't read oh really well and the association with time is loose at best. 12 hours of frolicking in the kitchen while a cat sleeps is a bit of a stretch

[Christopher Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction
Primary Grades (2-3)
How fun is it to say "boom chicka rock chicka rock chicka boom!" I mean this is a fun way to tell a story and one students would definitely get into.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute little story about mice playing around and having fun while teaching numbers and avoiding the cat.

[Crystal Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The use of numbers, rhyming words, and text which reads like a poem/song is what makes this book fun and educational. I recommend it.

[Tara DuBose-Schmitt]

Cat and mouse, birthday cake, counting and rhymes!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a rhyming book. Did not care for the rhymes nor the art style.

[Anna - Kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kids say it's so-so

I really disliked the rhythm of the rhyme. It didn't flow nicely as made it less enjoyable to read. It also kinda dragged on forever.

[Jacqueline Holton]

Boom Chica rock is a counting book that is very funny and entertaining. The mice in the story is named using numbers one through twelve, they have a lot of fun eating in the kitchen, and running through the house while Max the cat sleep. The words on the cover are catchy especially the word rock which made me think of fun. The Texts looked as if a child hand printed it and colors used in a certain way made objects stand out on the page, the illustrations were fantastic.

Ape in a Cape is an alphabet book written and illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg, which teaches children their ABC’s by using animals. There are very few texts on a page for example A, ape in a cape, or F, fox in a box. The illustrations utilized lines to show detail, color brought objects forward, and engaged the reader.

The Water Hole written and illustrated by Graeme Base is a counting book. The author use animals at a water hole to count. There is 1 Rhino, 2 tigers, 3 Toucans, and so forth. Not only do children count with this book, they also find-hidden animals and they watch the water hole get smaller as they drink (the whole in the book). The pictures are like renaissance art and have many colors, lines, and contour. This book has many activities to keep them engaged without getting bored.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar written and illustrated by Eric Carle is a counting book about a caterpillar that eats his way through many types of food. It has been around for over forty years and children still enjoy it. The texts are easy read but the colors of the pictures are great. They remind me the artist Van Gogh and the pop ups are also fun.

I enjoyed all four books but I would use the water hole book in the class because it teaches more than one thing at a time. I like the fact that animals he used were from around the world because children can learn about them. I would use this book for all standard subjects it has a lot to offer.

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

12 mice are dancing and prancing their way around the cat to get to the cake before midnight.

So I think that's the gist of this. In the attempt to keep up the rhyme with the sequence of mice and throw in dance names, the story gets almost nonsensical at times and hard to follow. Many of the dances are ones that only adults are likely to know; it also refers to the same cat with a number of different names, both are likely just going to confuse younger readers. What I did enjoy about this book were the unique collage illustrations with torn paper. I haven't seen to many other picture books done in this style.

[Lindsey Johnson]

Boom Chicka Rock, Chicka Rock, Chicka Boom! This is one of my favorite books because I love the title of the book and how they say this in the story. Every time I read this book it gets stuck in my head. I love how this book works on counting and working on telling time. This book would be great for an activity of learning what time it is. I would read this book to first through third graders. You could really have some fun with your class by dancing around like the book does. I think the illustrations are pretty good and could have a little bit more detail to them.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting introduction to telling time on a clock. Each mouse in the story represents one number on the clock and the numbered mice dance around the table looking for food while the kitty lion sleeps on the floor. The book rhymes and has a repeating refrain of "Boom Chicka Rock, Chicka Rock, Chicka Boom!" I wish this refrain was repeated a little more to get young readers into the book.

The illustrations are interesting, done in collage. But, on one page the dinner bell is shaped as the cat and it is a little confusing.

[Amy Walters · Rating 1 out of 5]

I personally did not care for this book. It was hard to follow, and the flow was not good. I do not believe that this book would keep a young child’s attention, I as an adult had a hard time focusing on it. The rhymes were completely awkward and hard to understand. Though the illustrations are cool, they are not cool enough to make up for the lousy content. The author had a great idea to help children to learn the number of the clock, but did a poor job with the story. I would not use this book at home or in a classroom.

[Ashlin Edmisten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be good for an older group of kids that were learning about time. In a music and movement-esque program, you could do a little dance every time the mice mention a new dance style. You can also do count offs... you could make it fun. So, really this book's not a dud, I just wasn't that big of a fan. I would definitely recommend it for a story time situation. If you read it one-on-one, too close, the illustrations start to look a little fuzzy and your head might start to hurt. :( So, maybe try it?