Title: Hush that Hullabaloo
Author: Donna Marie Merritt
Illustrator: Chris Demarest
Publisher: MacLaren-Chocrane, June 20th, 2017
Ages: 3-8
Themes: Scottish brogue, birthday celebrations, rhyme, grandparents
Opening:
Hullabaloo! Hullabaloo!
Hush that hullabaloo!
Michty me! What to do?
Hush that hullabaloo!
Synopsis:
Grandpa is fretting at all the unusual noise and mess in the house, and Grandma keeps reassuring him that it is just the bairns. Indeed, his four red-headed grandchildren are busy creating the bestest of birthday cakes for their grandpa. Despite his protests, Grandma makes sure that he dresses in his birthday kilt as his annoyance begins to transform into pleasure at the suspicious but delicious smells now appearing.
Of course, the neighbors join in with flutes and fiddles and some highland dancing. as well as cake eating to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday.
Why I like this book:
This book is a joyful and colorful celebration of Scottish dialect and family.
This is a story that begs, nae, insists to be read aloud. New words, yes, but fun to articulate with some hard ch’s and rolling rs–and with lots of repetition. The reader and the children will have fun practicing their Scottish brogue with stanzas like the Grandma’s refrain:
Wheesht, wheesht,
It’s only the wee ones.
Wheesht, wheesht,
Only the wee ones.
There is a 2-page glossary at the back with which all readers would be encouraged to familiarize themselves before reading. Demarest’s illustrations are vibrant and full of energy befitting the cadence and movement in the text.
Activities/Resources:
This is a great choice simply for a fun group read, but also for any units on Scotland or dialects.
Have your students create their own plaids
Find more “Perfect Picture Book Friday” reviews at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog HERE.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Thank you for the review, Joanna! Aren’t Chris Demarest’s illustrations marvelous? And I love your plaid activity!
What a charming book! I would enjoy reading this fun tale. I have a lot of Scottish in me and I don’t know any of the terms. Nice share. The illustrations are hilarious! And, I love your plaid activity.