Yankee Doodle

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

From its brief introduction explaining that the popular tune ``Yankee Doodle'' was first sung by British soldiers to mock their Yankee adversaries, this lively book delights as it informs. After an initial spread that displays the music and lyrics for 16 traditional verses of the song, additional, original verses by Chalk and his ``text collaborator,'' Linda Davis, chronicle the American Revolution. The perspective is unorthodox--that of one passionately patriotic mouse (complete with ``Revolutionary Tail'') named, of course, Yankee Doodle. Set in an elegant period script, the spirited, clever rhymes (``Times were hard, the winter cold, / We really took a bruising. / But General George Washington / Was not too keen on losing'') are accompanied by historical data (``the Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place on Breed's Hill''). Chalk's action- and humor-filled illustrations feature a troupe of animals serving as soldiers, with the French represented as frogs and the Germans as pigs. His art provides the crowning touch, creatively combining historical accuracy with child-pleasing whimsy. Ages 4-7. (July)

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

The traditional verses of this merry tune plus fifteen original ones are amplified with historical anecdotes and jaunty illustrations in which George Washington, the colonists, Red Coats, et al. are portrayed as animals.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Chalk animates the action of the Revolutionary War with mice and other animals la Wallace Tripp. He begins with an overview of both the original song and an account of America's bid for independence. The music and the lyrics follow, and the next pages of this self-proclaimed nursery version of the song are filled with historical information and interesting asides. The detailed costumes are accurate throughout. The rhyming verses are set off in script, making it easy to read straight through to picture-book audiences. Closer scrutiny of the smaller type by older readers, however, will bring forth lesser-known points of trivia. The Frenchmen are depicted as frogs, the Germans as pigs, the Native Americans as raccoons, and the colonists, by and large, as an assortment of rodents. The lighthearted cartoons make this a pleasing and fun introduction to a weighty subject.-Elizabeth Hanson, Chicago Public Library

Carolyn Phelan

An upbeat introduction to the American Revolution, this book presents the familiar ditty with new verses that tell the tale of the war in short, snappy order. Chalk's lively, bright ink-and wash drawings illustrate the action with a cheerful good humor verging on slapstick at times. Dressed animal characters dramatize events and comment on the action and details in the pictures. Some may consider the use of frogs for the French close to an ethnic slur; however, the intent here is obviously lighthearted. A subtext briefly explains facets of the verse and illustrations, carrying solid information as well as legend and trivia. Music is included, along with 16 verses of the original song. A teacher with the singing voice to carry it off could make good use of this picture book, while kids old enough to read the words will enjoy poring over it themselves.