Boom

Catchy music and skillful animation lend a new richness to award-winning picture books like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Trashy Town in this Scholastic compilation. In "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom," jazzy melodies composed and performed by Crystal Taliefero complement Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault's innovative look at the alphabet while Lois Ehlert's busy letters absolutely scurry up and crash down from the coconut tree. The addition of the jazzy refrain "dump it in, smash it down, drive around" underscores the importance of the trash man's job in "Trashy Town" and Rosie's oblivious walk around the farm in "Rosie's Walk" is appropriately accompanied by a catchy country tune and twang-infused narration. Animation, voice talent, and the occasional melodic riff reinforce the themes of growth and change in "The Caterpillar and the Polliwog." (Ages 2 to 7) --Tami Horiuchi