Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Why It's On Our Shelf

This book has a rhythm that sticks in your head whether you want it to or not. The letters climbing the coconut tree gives the alphabet an actual story, which is more effective than just listing letters. Kids love the chaos when all the letters fall down, and the repeated 'chicka chicka boom boom' becomes something they'll chant randomly throughout the day. The bright illustrations by Lois Ehlert are bold enough to hold attention but not overwhelming. What makes this work is that it treats the alphabet like an adventure rather than a chore, which is exactly the right approach for making letter recognition feel natural and fun.