Shake dem Halloween Bones

Shake dem Halloween Bones
by W Nikola-Lisa
Illustrated by Mike Reed

From the Preschool Book

“Now, look at Goldilocks a-twirlin’ those bears. No wonder she busted their rockin’ chairs. Come on, Li’l Goldie, won’t you dance with me at the hip-hop Halloween ball? I said, shake, shake, shake dem bones now. Shake, shake, shake dem bones now. Shake, shake, shake dem bones at the hip-hop Halloween ball.”

About the Preschool Book

It’s tough to stay in your seat while reading Shake dem Halloween Bones! Colorful creatures and familiar storybook characters shake it at the Halloween ball. But it’s not just any ball, it’s a hip-hop Halloween ball. Li’l Red Riding Hood, Tom Thumb, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Cinderella are amongst the guests at this fun Halloween celebration.

From the Reviewer – Shelley Frost

Preschoolers will love this funky Halloween book about the hip-hop ball. Familiar characters with a modern twist animate this fun rhyming book. Shake dem Halloween Bones tells the tale of the storybook characters attending the hip-hop Halloween ball. While there isn't a deep involved plot in Shake dem Halloween Bones, it is a fun and unique way to celebrate Halloween. This preschool book sets itself apart from traditional Halloween stories about pumpkins and trick-or-treating. It is a refreshing change for both preschoolers and adults.

Familiar Storybook Characters

Preschoolers will recognize many of the characters in Shake dem Halloween Bones. “Li’l Red” is the first to shake her “ridin’ hood”. She is soon followed by fellow storybook characters like Rumpelstiltskin and Puss-in-boots. These familiar characters are depicted with a fresh, youthful appearance. You will find characters of different races on the pages of Shake dem Halloween Bones, which is an important element for preschool books.

Fun Rhyming Lyrics

Shake dem Halloween Bones features rhyming words throughout the text. The chorus repeats throughout the book, providing familiarity for preschoolers. In addition, the lyrics in Shake dem Halloween Bones set a unique tone. The words selected set more of a modern, hip-hop feel to this preschool book. Shake dem Halloween Bones is an excellent way to expose preschoolers to different types of preschool books. Filled with action, the text will get preschoolers off the couch to shake their own bones!

Hilarious Illustrations

There is no shortage of detail in the illustrations of Shake dem Halloween Bones. Along with the lyrics, the illustrations depict the action that takes place in this preschool book. Goldilocks sits on a chair, sending splinters of wood flying across the room. Tom Thumb "shakes dem bones" in an oversized shirt, pants, and hat, illustrating his small stature. Rumpelstiltskin spins so quickly he’s just a blur. There are a few illustrations that could be a bit scary for younger preschoolers, such as doors and radiators that have faces and appear alive. But overall the illustrations will be met with laughter and delight from preschoolers!

Book Details

Title: Shake dem Halloween Bones
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (1997)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780395730959

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