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Crankee Doodle
“Yankee Doodle went to town / a-riding on a pony / stuck a feather in his hat / and called it macaroni.” Many know the song “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” but few understand it. This unapologetically silly picture book reveals that the legendary ride to town (and the whole macaroni thing) was all suggested by Mr. Doodle’s overeager pony. This just makes Mr. Doodle “I do not want macaroni. I do not want a feather. I do not want any other clothing, any other pasta, or any other parts of a bird. I do not want anything that they have in town!” A historical note ends this colorful, comical take on a nonsensical old song.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2013
About the author
Tom Angleberger
71 books777 followersTom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
March 3, 2019
I like grumpy men. Really like them. Crankee Doodle was a grumpy man. You can hardly blame him. Imagine an overeager pony urging you to ride into town and stick a feather in your hat and call it "macaroni." And to have an annoying chorus playing in the background over and over and over... Well, I'd be pretty grumpy too. Tom Angleberger's droll take on the famous children's ditty is (pardon the overused expression) laugh out loud funny. Pretty sure the king of witty quips, Yogi Berra, would have liked it. Also, both pony and Crankee are fans of lasagna (not unlike their literary counterpart, Garfield the cat) so they obviously have impeccable taste. One of those picture books you'll actually enjoy reading to your kids.
May 9, 2019
This one is pretty dang funny. Yankee Doodle is cranky and his horse is just trying to be helpful. He makes suggestions. They could go to town. He could call his hat macaroni. Yankee Doodle thinks that is absolutely ridiculous because why would he call a hat a kind of pasta?! The unfailingly patient horse attempts to explain. A super-fun read aloud.
May 17, 2013
Crackin’ Up Over “Crankee Doodle”
Mark your calendars for the June 4th release of a picture book that’s as funny as any I’ve ever read. I gave my husband a dramatic reading of “Crankee Doodle,” last evening during the news, and we were both guffawing. Who says picture books are just for kids?
Author Tom Angleberger, of “Origami Yoda” book fame, had a revolutionary idea, turning the song “Yankee Doddle” into a crazy tale. Cartoon illustrations by his wife, Cece Bell, add to the hilarity as Crankee argues with his pony about the necessity of going to town, buying a hat, a feather, and other such nonsense.
The action begins with inaction on the first spread with Crankee, in full revolutionary gear, sprawled out in a meadow underneath a tree. “I’m bored,” he says, a statement his codependent pony immediately picks up on. Poor four-legger ventures onto thin ice when he suggests a trip to town, his long face all grins, expectation and teeth.
“Town? No way. I hate going to town,” says Crankee—so begin pages of back and forth conversation bubbles between the characters. The pony suggests this, then that, but Crankee nixes every notion the palomino proposes. Tried and true, the placid pony doesn’t throw in the towel; he plods on with ideas, while Crankee goes from testy to irate, finally pushing his trusty comrade too far.
When the pony says he’d please like to go to town, and he can give his master a ride, Crankee quips, “No way! You smell terrible.” That is the straw that breaks the pony’s back. Crankee heads do not prevail. The buddies strike a compromise that puts the pony in the driver’s seat for a change.
Scroll past “The End,” and you’ll see an afterword by the smart little steed. He offers his two cents about the original song “Yankee Doodle,” and includes the words as well, while Crankee stands off to the side, exasperated, his fingers in his ears.
A five-musket salute to “Crankee Doodle,” a book sure to provide belly laughs for readers of all ages.
Mark your calendars for the June 4th release of a picture book that’s as funny as any I’ve ever read. I gave my husband a dramatic reading of “Crankee Doodle,” last evening during the news, and we were both guffawing. Who says picture books are just for kids?
Author Tom Angleberger, of “Origami Yoda” book fame, had a revolutionary idea, turning the song “Yankee Doddle” into a crazy tale. Cartoon illustrations by his wife, Cece Bell, add to the hilarity as Crankee argues with his pony about the necessity of going to town, buying a hat, a feather, and other such nonsense.
The action begins with inaction on the first spread with Crankee, in full revolutionary gear, sprawled out in a meadow underneath a tree. “I’m bored,” he says, a statement his codependent pony immediately picks up on. Poor four-legger ventures onto thin ice when he suggests a trip to town, his long face all grins, expectation and teeth.
“Town? No way. I hate going to town,” says Crankee—so begin pages of back and forth conversation bubbles between the characters. The pony suggests this, then that, but Crankee nixes every notion the palomino proposes. Tried and true, the placid pony doesn’t throw in the towel; he plods on with ideas, while Crankee goes from testy to irate, finally pushing his trusty comrade too far.
When the pony says he’d please like to go to town, and he can give his master a ride, Crankee quips, “No way! You smell terrible.” That is the straw that breaks the pony’s back. Crankee heads do not prevail. The buddies strike a compromise that puts the pony in the driver’s seat for a change.
Scroll past “The End,” and you’ll see an afterword by the smart little steed. He offers his two cents about the original song “Yankee Doodle,” and includes the words as well, while Crankee stands off to the side, exasperated, his fingers in his ears.
A five-musket salute to “Crankee Doodle,” a book sure to provide belly laughs for readers of all ages.
January 27, 2019
Author Tom Angleberger and illustrator Cece Bell offer a revisionist take on the classic song Yankee Doodle in this humorous picture-book, as Mr. Doddle argues with his pony about whether to ride into town, whether to go shopping, and whether to buy a feather for his hat, and call it macaroni. Mr. Doodle, as it transpires, doesn't like macaroni, much preferring lasagna...
Although I can appreciate the humor in Crankee Doodle - I have seen it performed during story-time, with two readers taking the parts of Mr. Doodle and his pony, and the effect on the young audience is always one of immediate hilarity - I find that reading it to oneself is quite a different experience to hearing it read aloud by others. Without the performative element the humor here falls a bit flat for me, and the gouache artwork, although colorful, doesn't quite compensate. Humor is, of course, inherently personal and subjective, so responses will vary, but this is one I recommend chiefly as a read-aloud, if the storyteller is particularly good at over-the-top performance.
Although I can appreciate the humor in Crankee Doodle - I have seen it performed during story-time, with two readers taking the parts of Mr. Doodle and his pony, and the effect on the young audience is always one of immediate hilarity - I find that reading it to oneself is quite a different experience to hearing it read aloud by others. Without the performative element the humor here falls a bit flat for me, and the gouache artwork, although colorful, doesn't quite compensate. Humor is, of course, inherently personal and subjective, so responses will vary, but this is one I recommend chiefly as a read-aloud, if the storyteller is particularly good at over-the-top performance.
May 15, 2013
First off, let me confess, I loved this book a lot. I looked at the cover, giggled, and loved it. I read through the book, laughed and double loved it. I then closed the cover and said, "I don't want to review this book and put it on my blog." Why in the world would you do that you may ask if you loved it so much? I did not want to review it because the book evoked in me a "two year" mentality that did not want to share, a mentality that said this is too good and I want this book all for myself....it is mine, don't look and certainly don't read it. After I came to my adult and responsible senses (Sigh!) I got on the computer and ladies and gentlemen here is the review of "Crankee Doodle", a book I know you will love too.
The book is a quirky twist on the old beloved song that most people learned as a kid, Yankee Doodle. The original lyrics are:
Yankee Doodle went to town,
Riding on a pony,
stuck a feather in his hat
and called it macaroni....
What the heck does that mean? Sounds like he had had quite a night on the town....
First of all let me address the "pony." His character is by far my favourite and quite a hoot. His expressive face and sublime buck teeth makes him very endearing to me. He so badly wants to go to town, shop and spend quality time with his friend but his Yankee colonial counterpart will have none of it. The poor pathetic pony hints, suggests then blatantly asks his friend to come along. The pony tries to inspire him to buy a feather for his hat, give his hat a name, and as a final plea even offers to give him a ride there. Nothing moves this stubborn, complaining guy. He won't budge.
Now let's look at the Yankee the Cranky guy. Well the definition of cranky is irritable, annoyed, testy and yes, Mr. Yankee is by definition, cranky. He has a rebuttal for every suggestion and proves to be a negative nelly indeed. The line is crossed when the little pony offers that ride and Mr. Crankee pants quips back, "No way! You smell terrible! Using horse talk...that was the last straw! I do not want to spoil the ending so you need to get a copy and find our how the book ends. The book is clever, witty and the valuable lesson you can take away is that cranky people.... well....suck! But do not despair because redemption is possible.
The illustrations are brilliant, vibrant color pallet used to perfection, and the characters enhanced by the expressive faces and body language. The pictures and text are a perfect marriage.
Can you tell I like the book? The pony still cracks me up every time I do a re-read. I want a pony just like that and I will go shopping and romping with him. The release of this book is June 4th so be sure to pre-order today and be sure to share this info with your friends. Yea for Crankee Doodle!!!!!!
The book is a quirky twist on the old beloved song that most people learned as a kid, Yankee Doodle. The original lyrics are:
Yankee Doodle went to town,
Riding on a pony,
stuck a feather in his hat
and called it macaroni....
What the heck does that mean? Sounds like he had had quite a night on the town....
First of all let me address the "pony." His character is by far my favourite and quite a hoot. His expressive face and sublime buck teeth makes him very endearing to me. He so badly wants to go to town, shop and spend quality time with his friend but his Yankee colonial counterpart will have none of it. The poor pathetic pony hints, suggests then blatantly asks his friend to come along. The pony tries to inspire him to buy a feather for his hat, give his hat a name, and as a final plea even offers to give him a ride there. Nothing moves this stubborn, complaining guy. He won't budge.
Now let's look at the Yankee the Cranky guy. Well the definition of cranky is irritable, annoyed, testy and yes, Mr. Yankee is by definition, cranky. He has a rebuttal for every suggestion and proves to be a negative nelly indeed. The line is crossed when the little pony offers that ride and Mr. Crankee pants quips back, "No way! You smell terrible! Using horse talk...that was the last straw! I do not want to spoil the ending so you need to get a copy and find our how the book ends. The book is clever, witty and the valuable lesson you can take away is that cranky people.... well....suck! But do not despair because redemption is possible.
The illustrations are brilliant, vibrant color pallet used to perfection, and the characters enhanced by the expressive faces and body language. The pictures and text are a perfect marriage.
Can you tell I like the book? The pony still cracks me up every time I do a re-read. I want a pony just like that and I will go shopping and romping with him. The release of this book is June 4th so be sure to pre-order today and be sure to share this info with your friends. Yea for Crankee Doodle!!!!!!
Read
April 20, 2015EVALUATION: "Crankee Doodle" seems to have a fun but simple plot--a soldier's talking horse tries to help him out of his boredom through a variety of suggestions, including going to town, going shopping, buying a feather for his hat and calling it macaroni, and more, all of which are allusions to the "Yankee Doodle" song. The story is told through simple, but artistic illustrations, in one - two panel pages. Several pages have just illustrations and now words, but a couple pages are almost entirely filled with words--when Crankee Doodle has long "diatribes" refuting Pony's suggestions for his boredom. Overall, this book seems best suited to upper-primary since some vocabulary (macaroni, pasta, exhausted, etc.) is a little more difficult. But the plot is very basic with fun humor.
POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS: Again, this graphic novel seems geared toward upper-primary readers (second - third grade). Since this book is based on the song "Yankee Doodle", readers of this book would definitely benefit with knowledge, review, and explanation of this song. Once nice feature is that at the back of the book, Tom Angleberger provides not only the words to the song but also some basic explanation of America and the Revolutionary War, as well as explanations of words like "Yankee". This book would be a great addition to any basic American history teaching that may happen in the primary grades, as well as any possible units looking at books based on music, songs, etc.
POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES/CONCERNS: One concern is that a student randomly choosing this book without a sense of the "Yankee Doodle" song or reading the explanation at the back of the book may have difficulty understanding the references to "macaroni" used in this way, how Crankee Doodle is dressed (as a Yankee soldier), etc. However, I think most students would understand the graphic novel on a basic level of a talking pony and his friend. The illustrations are very "accessible" and humorous. It would probably be a great book to read with an adult (teacher, parent, etc.) who has knowledge of the song, etc., who can check for understanding, answer questions, etc.
POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS: Again, this graphic novel seems geared toward upper-primary readers (second - third grade). Since this book is based on the song "Yankee Doodle", readers of this book would definitely benefit with knowledge, review, and explanation of this song. Once nice feature is that at the back of the book, Tom Angleberger provides not only the words to the song but also some basic explanation of America and the Revolutionary War, as well as explanations of words like "Yankee". This book would be a great addition to any basic American history teaching that may happen in the primary grades, as well as any possible units looking at books based on music, songs, etc.
POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES/CONCERNS: One concern is that a student randomly choosing this book without a sense of the "Yankee Doodle" song or reading the explanation at the back of the book may have difficulty understanding the references to "macaroni" used in this way, how Crankee Doodle is dressed (as a Yankee soldier), etc. However, I think most students would understand the graphic novel on a basic level of a talking pony and his friend. The illustrations are very "accessible" and humorous. It would probably be a great book to read with an adult (teacher, parent, etc.) who has knowledge of the song, etc., who can check for understanding, answer questions, etc.
July 17, 2013
I am a fan of Angleberger's Origami Yoda series and I was excited when I saw this book. Then I read it. Then I read it again, just in case I was being too hasty. I really wish I could have liked this book better, but it did not work at all for me.
The illustrations are simple line drawings combined with intense colors. While this is not bad by itself, particularly if you are sharing the book with a very young child, I found them too simple. There just was not enough going on. I could see everything there was to see on a particular page in two seconds. When you combine that with large chunks of text, it becomes very easy for children to lose interest in the page long before you finish reading it.
While the text has a deliberate negativity to it (he is cranky, after all), I felt it was too negative. I had no reason at all to like the main character. I did not really like the pony, either. While children may not pick up on it, I saw the pony as manipulative and self-serving. The pony was not really trying to find something interesting for Doodle to do, it was trying to get him to take it into town for its own purposes.
I can see some children really enjoying the story, but I was unimpressed and would not consider using it in a classroom.
The illustrations are simple line drawings combined with intense colors. While this is not bad by itself, particularly if you are sharing the book with a very young child, I found them too simple. There just was not enough going on. I could see everything there was to see on a particular page in two seconds. When you combine that with large chunks of text, it becomes very easy for children to lose interest in the page long before you finish reading it.
While the text has a deliberate negativity to it (he is cranky, after all), I felt it was too negative. I had no reason at all to like the main character. I did not really like the pony, either. While children may not pick up on it, I saw the pony as manipulative and self-serving. The pony was not really trying to find something interesting for Doodle to do, it was trying to get him to take it into town for its own purposes.
I can see some children really enjoying the story, but I was unimpressed and would not consider using it in a classroom.
August 22, 2013
Another Teacher's Choice book, but I'm not sure why.
I would not use it in the classroom because I cannot picture the right audience for it. This book doesn't really stand alone, but I would assume is meant to go along with a study on the American revolution, which students learn about in 5th grade. Since it presents a very low intellectual challenge and few real facts to enrich a curriculum, I would not find it beneficial for 5th graders, who should be practicing higher thinking, such as defending arguments about which side, Patriots or Loyalists, they would take.
Now, this book could be a kindergarten-1st grade reading level regarding vocabulary and simple storyline. However, their social studies curriculum involves the more concrete aspects of society, such as who the librarian is. Thus, this book would not mean much to them.
All in all, if you want a book where the antagonist tries persuading the protagonist to do something he does not want to do, just stick with Green Eggs and Ham.
I would not use it in the classroom because I cannot picture the right audience for it. This book doesn't really stand alone, but I would assume is meant to go along with a study on the American revolution, which students learn about in 5th grade. Since it presents a very low intellectual challenge and few real facts to enrich a curriculum, I would not find it beneficial for 5th graders, who should be practicing higher thinking, such as defending arguments about which side, Patriots or Loyalists, they would take.
Now, this book could be a kindergarten-1st grade reading level regarding vocabulary and simple storyline. However, their social studies curriculum involves the more concrete aspects of society, such as who the librarian is. Thus, this book would not mean much to them.
All in all, if you want a book where the antagonist tries persuading the protagonist to do something he does not want to do, just stick with Green Eggs and Ham.
June 30, 2013
Most of us probably remember singing the song "Yankee Doodle" and wondering what exactly its lyrics meant when we were young. This hilarious story tells the story--or one possibility--behind the song. As a pony tries to persuade his lethargic and reluctant owner to head into town, the cranky man lists all the reasons they should't go. He hates shopping and rejects every suggestion the pony offers for going to town. After hurting his pony's feelings, his grouchy owner must apologize, and the last gouache illustration shows the two of them, loaded down with their purchase, having a blast. The very last page provides a historical note on the lyrics. Readers will hoot as they read this book, guaranteeing a surge in popularity for the song. Hilarious from beginning to end, this book is a perfect choice for the upcoming Fourth of July.
December 28, 2013
A funny take on the Yankee Doodle song and very funny as you think it is set in the past but come to find out it is not. I love the lasagna hat. Older kids that know the song will find this funny, younger kids may not understand it.
June 18, 2013
Very funny, and explains the origin of calling his hat "macaroni" - who knew it meant fancy?? Too wordy for a storytime unless maybe for elementary school kids who enjoy a good rant.
August 21, 2013
Hilarious read aloud, my boys laughed & laughed!
July 4, 2013
History lesson disguised as an extremely funny picture book. As in most great literature the horse is the smart one.
July 23, 2013
This is a quirky little book. I can imagine my kids enjoying the "crankee" mood. This would be a great text for studying mood or dialogue and for working on reading with expression.
August 10, 2013
Going with picture books fiction shelf, BUT I did learn some stuff here - like why in the world the word "macaroni" was used in the song. Hilarious book - laughed out loud!
August 16, 2013
Silly Crankee Doodle with a sassy Horse tell a fun story with some actual facts. A total winner for me and great fun to read.
July 29, 2016
A literally laugh-out-loud-funny picture book that is not only a must-read but a must-read-aloud.
December 24, 2014
Ouch! A. is harsh. I thought this was pretty cute, but my 8-year old says - nope; just not that good.
February 9, 2022
Silly and repetitive.
August 16, 2022
I’m going to mentally place this book on the “This Book Sucks” shelf. Who would this book appeal to? Too confusing for kids and not entertaining for adults.
August 10, 2015
Originally posted on You Must Have Your Hands Full
I don’t remember whether I saw Crankee Doodle on Goodreads or on Amazon, but as soon as I saw it, I knew that my girls would love it. One of the songs that the Kindergarten children sing at the Memorial Day concert is Yankee Doodle, and it has been a favorite around the house before and after the concert.
Crankee Doodle is a picture book written by Tom Angleberger and illustrated by Cece Bell. The premise of the book is simple: a smiling pony wants to go to town, and a cranky man in colonial garb refuses to go. He complains about not wanting new things, and that the quality of the items in town is not the same. The pony wheedles and begs, but the man doesn’t listen. The pony makes sly allusions to a feather in a hat being “macaroni” (fancy), but this only makes the man even crankier. Can the pony convince his human friend that going to town is worthwhile?
The illustrations are very silly. Bell uses a rather simple style that comes across as playful and fun. The backgrounds are relatively simple; the characters spend most of the book sitting on a grassy field with just a blue sky behind them.
I also would like to mention that my oldest daughter loves Tom Angleberger’s middle grade Origami Yoda books, and she recently read Cece Bell’s graphic novel El Deafo, and loved that too. When she found out that they had collaborated on this book, she was very excited. When she found out that two of her favorite authors were married, she was even more excited.
I would recommend Crankee Doodle. This book is wonderful for children as young as preschool, and even children in the early years of elementary school will appreciate the silly humor. My three girls laughed and laughed, and then they sang Yankee Doodle. I’m very pleased to have discovered this silly little book!
I don’t remember whether I saw Crankee Doodle on Goodreads or on Amazon, but as soon as I saw it, I knew that my girls would love it. One of the songs that the Kindergarten children sing at the Memorial Day concert is Yankee Doodle, and it has been a favorite around the house before and after the concert.
Crankee Doodle is a picture book written by Tom Angleberger and illustrated by Cece Bell. The premise of the book is simple: a smiling pony wants to go to town, and a cranky man in colonial garb refuses to go. He complains about not wanting new things, and that the quality of the items in town is not the same. The pony wheedles and begs, but the man doesn’t listen. The pony makes sly allusions to a feather in a hat being “macaroni” (fancy), but this only makes the man even crankier. Can the pony convince his human friend that going to town is worthwhile?
The illustrations are very silly. Bell uses a rather simple style that comes across as playful and fun. The backgrounds are relatively simple; the characters spend most of the book sitting on a grassy field with just a blue sky behind them.
I also would like to mention that my oldest daughter loves Tom Angleberger’s middle grade Origami Yoda books, and she recently read Cece Bell’s graphic novel El Deafo, and loved that too. When she found out that they had collaborated on this book, she was very excited. When she found out that two of her favorite authors were married, she was even more excited.
I would recommend Crankee Doodle. This book is wonderful for children as young as preschool, and even children in the early years of elementary school will appreciate the silly humor. My three girls laughed and laughed, and then they sang Yankee Doodle. I’m very pleased to have discovered this silly little book!
April 9, 2015
Crankee Doodle (Graphic Novel):
Text-to-self: This book is based off the popular song Yankee Doodle Dandy. I constantly heard this song when I was younger whether it was form my mom belting it out, on television, or listening to it in school. When I first read this book I didn’t realize at first that it was based on the song. Then I realized that I never truly listened to the song until I read this book and saw the words on paper. Crankee Doodle is very negative and takes the lyrics to the song and says things like, “why would I want to call my hat macaroni?” This book uses does an amazing job using comedy and detailed illustration to break down the words of the song and tie it into a story about a cranky man and his pony.
Text-to-text: This book reminded me of No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed. My grandma told this story and also read the book to me when I was younger. This folk song has been recreated into books several times with many different ways of illustrating it. Both Crankee Doodle and No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed have broken down the song in a creative way by using colorful illustrations along with the words that give a better understanding of the song.
Text-to-world: The book is about Crankee Doodle and his negative attitude towards everything his pony says to him. This could lead into a lesson about how it is much more enjoyable to have a positive outlook and how it can benefit them in life. We could go through the pictures and point out Crankee Doodle’s facial expressions and ask if he looks very happy and how being a negative person all the time is not fun for anyone.
Text-to-self: This book is based off the popular song Yankee Doodle Dandy. I constantly heard this song when I was younger whether it was form my mom belting it out, on television, or listening to it in school. When I first read this book I didn’t realize at first that it was based on the song. Then I realized that I never truly listened to the song until I read this book and saw the words on paper. Crankee Doodle is very negative and takes the lyrics to the song and says things like, “why would I want to call my hat macaroni?” This book uses does an amazing job using comedy and detailed illustration to break down the words of the song and tie it into a story about a cranky man and his pony.
Text-to-text: This book reminded me of No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed. My grandma told this story and also read the book to me when I was younger. This folk song has been recreated into books several times with many different ways of illustrating it. Both Crankee Doodle and No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed have broken down the song in a creative way by using colorful illustrations along with the words that give a better understanding of the song.
Text-to-world: The book is about Crankee Doodle and his negative attitude towards everything his pony says to him. This could lead into a lesson about how it is much more enjoyable to have a positive outlook and how it can benefit them in life. We could go through the pictures and point out Crankee Doodle’s facial expressions and ask if he looks very happy and how being a negative person all the time is not fun for anyone.
April 3, 2015
Children's Graphic Novel:
Text to self: While I was reading this book, well I was laughing so hard but it reminded me of when I was in elementary school and we learned Yankee Doodle. The book is so sarcastic and pretty much makes fun of the silly song, which thinking back, I found that the song was pretty silly and did not make any sense. The song was a great rhyme and that is why it was such a well known and popular song. The book Crankee Doodle was one of the funniest books that I have read in a LONG time!
Text to Text: I actually related this book to my textbook that I used Sophomore year of High school. The end of the book describes the actual history of the song and how it was connected to the Revolutionary War before American won and became a free country. The children's book did a great job describing the song in great detail and then added a mini lesson at the end of the book about the story behind the real song Yankee Doodle and that reminded me of when I was learning about the Revolutionary War and my teacher played Yankee Doodle as our class was coming in to begin lecture.
Text to World: The book Crankee Doodle is really a parody on the real song Yankee Doodle and the song is based off of an actual event that took place in U.S. history. This book can be related to the history of the Revolutionary War and the story behind the actual song. I really thought about how the book was related to anything real world and I think that the book is like a mini history book that is kid friendly!
Text to self: While I was reading this book, well I was laughing so hard but it reminded me of when I was in elementary school and we learned Yankee Doodle. The book is so sarcastic and pretty much makes fun of the silly song, which thinking back, I found that the song was pretty silly and did not make any sense. The song was a great rhyme and that is why it was such a well known and popular song. The book Crankee Doodle was one of the funniest books that I have read in a LONG time!
Text to Text: I actually related this book to my textbook that I used Sophomore year of High school. The end of the book describes the actual history of the song and how it was connected to the Revolutionary War before American won and became a free country. The children's book did a great job describing the song in great detail and then added a mini lesson at the end of the book about the story behind the real song Yankee Doodle and that reminded me of when I was learning about the Revolutionary War and my teacher played Yankee Doodle as our class was coming in to begin lecture.
Text to World: The book Crankee Doodle is really a parody on the real song Yankee Doodle and the song is based off of an actual event that took place in U.S. history. This book can be related to the history of the Revolutionary War and the story behind the actual song. I really thought about how the book was related to anything real world and I think that the book is like a mini history book that is kid friendly!
November 7, 2013
Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell is a humorous and slightly educational picturebook about the Yankee Doodle Dandy song. While most of us have heard this American folk song, most of us do not know the reasons behind some of the unusual turns of phrase. Here is a look the legendary ride to town (and the whole macaroni thing) through the eyes of a cranky Mr. Doodle and his overeager pony. A historical note ends this colorful, comical take on a nonsensical old song.
Crankee Doodle is a funny look at a well known song, and offers as much insight to the lyrics as it offers laughs. Mr. Doodle is one cranky man being urged by his pony to go for a ride into town. The conversation leads to the explanation of 'macaroni' and other oddities in the song that already make us laugh. Some of the humor might not interest the youngest readers, but the bright illustrations and wacky commentary will keep many interested.
I would recommend Crankee Doodle for classroom use or for young children interested in history and the changes in the English language. It could be a great conversation starter about how languages change, history, and how being a crank pot can cause you to miss out on things you might otherwise enjoy.
Crankee Doodle is a funny look at a well known song, and offers as much insight to the lyrics as it offers laughs. Mr. Doodle is one cranky man being urged by his pony to go for a ride into town. The conversation leads to the explanation of 'macaroni' and other oddities in the song that already make us laugh. Some of the humor might not interest the youngest readers, but the bright illustrations and wacky commentary will keep many interested.
I would recommend Crankee Doodle for classroom use or for young children interested in history and the changes in the English language. It could be a great conversation starter about how languages change, history, and how being a crank pot can cause you to miss out on things you might otherwise enjoy.
November 20, 2014
This book is based on the song "Yankee Doodle" but the author does such a fun take on it. Instead of just telling children the story behind the song, he takes it apart and makes it really silly and fun for kids. Anyone who has heard the song will laugh as the Pony convinces Crankee Doodle (the Yankee) to go into town. My son read it and laughed out loud when the Pony and Crankee Doodle raced to town in a car. This would be a fun way for teachers to introduce the Revolutionary War and this famous American song. The author includes some interesting facts (still in a fun format) about the song on the last page of the book. My only complaint is that some of the pages have huge speech bubbles with lots of text for the children to read.
The color illustrations were done in gouache. Most two-page spreads include the pony and Crankee Doodle with speech bubbles and a simple background. She does some fun things though by having one background include waves like lasagna and another background (and the end pages) is filled with small elbow macaroni noodles. My favorites of the illustrated pages were the last couple - where they are riding to town and once they are in town. The amount of detail and small touches on each of these pages keep the reader going back to look for more.
The color illustrations were done in gouache. Most two-page spreads include the pony and Crankee Doodle with speech bubbles and a simple background. She does some fun things though by having one background include waves like lasagna and another background (and the end pages) is filled with small elbow macaroni noodles. My favorites of the illustrated pages were the last couple - where they are riding to town and once they are in town. The amount of detail and small touches on each of these pages keep the reader going back to look for more.
July 16, 2013
Crankee Doodle is just a touch cranky. Even though he is “bored” he doesn’t want to heed his pony’s advice and head to town. And he definetly does not want to get a feather for his cap (he doesn’t even like macaroni). In this playful parody to the classic children’s song Yankee Doodle Dandy children will laugh (not only at the talking pony’s interaction with Crankee) but the fact that Crankee is just as confused at various references to the song as children might be (why oh why is a fancy hat called macaroni?). The illustrations also portray just how whimsical this story is. From the mid-eye-rolls of Crankee to the curved macaroni on the end pages, this book is as over the top as the the amount of blades of grass that are illustrated on one hill (which is a lot). In fact, for children who often wonder at the crazy ideas or words or phrases of grownups (, Crankee just might be a character that will bring about laughs over the strange antics of a song that so many grownups have taught children over the years.
Read
March 3, 2017The first graphic novel I chose was "Crankee Doodle" by Tom Angleberger. It was published in 2013, and its target audience is ages 4-7 years. The genre would be fantasy because there is a talking animal in the story to a human.
Text-to-Text: There are several books out there that are about Yankee Doodle, but one is by Gary Chalk. It is about the real story, where as this book is a funny version of it. Both have the same story line of Yankee Doodle going to town and riding on a pony.
Text-to-Self: I really enjoyed this book, and thought it was a cute book that kids would find funny. At a young age, I would sing the song all the time. "Yankee Doodle went to town / a-riding on a pony / stuck a feather in his hat / and called it macaroni." I knew the line of the song, so I was able to understand the book.
Text-to-World: The song was first sung by a British soldier to mock the adveraries. This book ties back into a real world situation that happened. It is easily related to the world because it happened.
Text-to-Text: There are several books out there that are about Yankee Doodle, but one is by Gary Chalk. It is about the real story, where as this book is a funny version of it. Both have the same story line of Yankee Doodle going to town and riding on a pony.
Text-to-Self: I really enjoyed this book, and thought it was a cute book that kids would find funny. At a young age, I would sing the song all the time. "Yankee Doodle went to town / a-riding on a pony / stuck a feather in his hat / and called it macaroni." I knew the line of the song, so I was able to understand the book.
Text-to-World: The song was first sung by a British soldier to mock the adveraries. This book ties back into a real world situation that happened. It is easily related to the world because it happened.
July 12, 2018
Super fun with great illustrations, but I'm afraid it would go way over my preschooler's heads. This would make a great read aloud for older kids who are familiar with the song Yankee Doodle.
October 8, 2019
Fun to read aloud with exaggerated voices.
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