Knick Knack Paddy Whack (A Barefoot Singalong) - Hardcover

Steve Songs

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846861446 ISBN 13: 9781846861444

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2008

Synopsis

Drawn from the traditional folk song, this clever new version presents a parade of children from various cultures, each of them playing a different musical instrument.

About this title

About the Author

Christiane Engel is originally from Germany, but currently works as an illustrator and children's book writer in London. This is her first project with Barefoot Books. Steve Songs has been performing songs for children and families for over five years. By blending participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies, he creates an interactive, educational and musical journey for his listeners. His music has won numerous awards in the USA, including a Parents' Choice Gold Award, a CMW Best Audio Award, a NAPPA Honor and an iParenting Media Award. He currently lives in Connecticut and this is his first recording with Barefoot Books.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2—This bright, lively, new interpretation of the classic children's song incorporates numbers, musical-instrument families, and a multiethnic group of adorable children who march along with the "old man" of the song. The dark-skinned, white-haired, mustachioed gent has a bit of the Pied Piper in his drum, using it to turn this song into a parade that takes the group all the way to a lunch of pizza and ice cream. With colorful acrylic and collage illustrations and varying fonts, each spread is alive with activity. The children are introduced with their own numbers that float near them on a small piece of paper as they play a different instrument, with each family identified in the back of the book. Of course, the dog of the chorus—along with his bone—appears on each spread as well. From time to time, the traditional lyrics are altered to follow the story line: "This old man, he played eight,/he played Knick Knack as we ate," and these small changes add to the fun of joining story and song. Even libraries that have the versions by Paul Zelinsky (Dutton, 2002) and Marissa Moss (Houghton, 1992; o.p.) will want this newest entry. With its inventive use of numbers, music, and collage illustrations, it's a worthy addition.—Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY
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An exuberant tropical island setting marks this traditional sing-along counting song that will have preschoolers pointing at the pictures and joining in. On the endpapers, the dog plays with its bone, while on each double-page spread (created in bright acrylics and digital collage), the old man knick knacks.  on his drum, and one at a time, children join in with different instruments––a trumpet, a keyboard, a violin, and more. At last, the multicultural group sits down to feast on pizza, and then starts to make the music all over again. A CD is included, as are musical notation and words for a sing-along. There are also notes on percussion, keyboard, and other instrument “families.” Pictures, words, and music make for joyful sharing many times over. --Hazel Rochman

Edition details

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1846861446
• ISBN 13: 9781846861444
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Christiane Engel
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 24
• Editor: Tessa Strickland