Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits From Way Back Never

Sandra Boynton and Michael Ford—the team behind Rhinoceros Tap, the Grammy-nominated #1 New York Times bestseller Philadelphia Chickens, and other toe-tapping book-and-CD sets—once again bring great words, great music, great performers to children and vintage children alike.

Put a nickel in the jukebox, assuming you can locate a jukebox, and that you remember what a nickel is. Here's legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson singing lead and 10-part harmonies on "Speed Turtle." The incomparable Neil Sedaka crooning "Your Nose." B. B. King brings you a wistful "One Shoe Blues," Gerry and the Pacemakers offer "Mersey Lullaby," and relative newcomer (in this seasoned company) Patti LuPone of "Evita" fame sings—what else—the "Rabbit Tango." And then there's the hit single from Boynton's Your Personal Penguin sung by the impossibly cute Davy Jones of The Monkees. I mean jeepers, even Sha Na Na is here.

And OH! The book! Boynton has filled it with all things 50s and 60s. And, well, golly, it’s so happy and colorful and just terrific, Mister! Grab your saddle shoes, plunk two straws into that swell chocolate malt, and let's twist again like we did last century. 110,000 copies in print.

Put a nickel in the jukebox, assuming you can locate a jukebox, and that you remember what a nickel is. Here's legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson singing lead and 10-part harmonies on "Speed Turtle." The incomparable Neil Sedaka crooning "Your Nose." B. B. King brings you a wistful "One Shoe Blues," Gerry and the Pacemakers offer "Mersey Lullaby," and relative newcomer (in this seasoned company) Patti LuPone of "Evita" fame sings—what else—the "Rabbit Tango." And then there's the hit single from Boynton's Your Personal Penguin sung by the impossibly cute Davy Jones of The Monkees. I mean jeepers, even Sha Na Na is here.

So roll over, Beethoven—and Lieber and Stoller. Boynton & Ford once again bring great words, great music, great performers to children and vintage children alike. And OH! The book! Boynton has filled it with all things 50s and 60s. And, well, golly, it’s so happy and colorful and just terrific, Mister! Grab your saddle shoes, plunk two straws into that swell chocolate malt, and let's twist again like we did last century.

School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up- Boynton is at it again, celebrating music with a CD/book kit that's filled with lots of '50s-style fun. She's urging her audience to gather 'round for "17 Jukebox Hits from Way Back Never," sung by a cast of recognizable names from that era. Well, they'll certainly be recognized by the grandparents, anyway. But grandparents, parents, and children alike can enjoy this collection as they listen to such classics as "One Shoe Blues," sung by none other than B.B. King; "Blue Moo," sung by Steve Lawrence; and three numbers by "The Uninvited Loud Precision Band." There's "Speed Turtle," sung in pure Beach Boys-style by Brian Wilson; "With You," a '50s-style love song by Bobby Vee; and "Rabbit Tango," performed with great verve and panache by Patti Lupone. "About the Singers" includes a photo, biography, and past hits for each artist, even those who are fictitious. Each song is labeled in jukebox fashion: A-1 through A-14. As she did with Philadelphia Chickens (Workman, 2002), Boynton has combined a roster of celebrity singers, good humor, and lots of creativity for a gift of music and fun for every member of the family.-Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Cartoonist/author Sandra Boynton infuses her books with a sense of joy, silliness, and -- well, lots of farm animals. With her fun board books, the woman famous for the adults' mantra "Don't Let the Turkeys Get You Down" has become a natural favorite for toddlers.