Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

You're probably familiar with this book, but for those who aren't, here's a fancy review from Publishers Weekly:

In this bright and lively rhyme, the letters of the alphabet race each other to the top of the coconut tree. When X, Y and Z finally scramble up the trunk, however, the weight is too much, and down they all tumble in a colorful chaotic heap: "Chicka Chicka . . . BOOM! BOOM!" All the family members race to help, as one by one the letters recover in amusingly battered fashion. Poor stubbed toe E has a swollen appendage, while F sports a jaunty Band-Aid and P is indeed black-eyed. As the tropic sun goes down and a radiant full moon appears, indomitable A leaps out of bed, double-daring his colleagues to another treetop race. This nonsense verse delights with its deceptively simple narrative and with the repetition of such catchy phrases as "skit skat skoodle doot." Ehlert's bold color scheme, complete with hot pink and orange borders, matches the crazy mood perfectly. Children will revel in seeing the familiar alphabet transported into this madcap adventure. Ages 2-6. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Iit really is an awesome book that teaches the lower case letters, with an even better tune written for it.  Here's the video and song - but be warned - this will stick in your head for WEEKS.  The good thing it's actually pretty cool so you won't mind.

This year for Christmas, my awesome sister in law sent us a Hawaiian luau party kit - including a 5 1/2 foot tall inflatable palm tree (only $11.99 at Oriental Trading!).  We used the kit to have a great New Years Eve, and then at the same time WonderGirl and I realized how similar it was to the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree.  So, we grabbed a bunch of paper scraps and yarn. and made a alphabet garland.

We sang the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree the entire time.  WonderGirl wrote all the upper and lower case letters from memory - and as much fun as she was having, it was a great writing exercise.

The garland is now hanging in the Dude's room.  WonderGirl is insanely proud that she made a decoration that's hanging in her brother's room, and the Dude is ambivalent.  For now :)