Crankee Doodle

PreS-Gr 3—Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony…or did he? Not if he is Crankee Doodle! This amusing work takes a humorous poke at the traditional, albeit nonsensical, patriotic song "Yankee Doodle." As his pony implores him to go into town, Crankee gives entertaining reasons he'd rather not: there are too many people in town, he hates shopping, and thinks he'd look like a fool with a feather in his hat. This first picture book by "Origami Yoda" author Angleberger will have listeners laughing throughout and asking the obvious question, why would you call your hat macaroni? Narrator Rich Orlow gives Crankee Doodle just the right amount of "crankiness" to make this picture book as much fun to listen to as it is to read on one's own. The CD includes two read-along versions; one with sound effects for page turns and one without. Recommended for school and library collections.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, Fairport NY