Bethanie Deeney Murguia, Cockatoo, Too, The Five Mile Press, Dec 2015, 40pp., $16.95 (hbk), ISBN 9781760401047
Young children will be tied over with this gorgeously amusing, visually and orally pleasing tongue-twister about a flock of dancing birds. Author / illustrator Bethanie Deeney Murguia has cleverly brought together a cocophony of rhythm with the use of a minimal number of words. The combinations of homophones, spelling patterns and punctuation are brilliantly integrated to create a fun phonological reading experience.
What begins with one cockatoo soon becomes two. Then another two tutu-wearing cockatoos arrive with a gift addressed to the first two. Adding to the feathered line up, four toucans appear who can can-can with their tutus and new friends, the cockatoos, across the page. Phew! In a sudden yet light-hearted finale a few other sneaky birds join the high-kicking procession, pronouncing some more rhyming words of their own.
This vibrant and energetic read aloud story, set amongst a lush green and blue watercolour background is fantastically humorous with its tight play on words and expressive, little jovial characters.
Cockatoo, Too is a great resource for preschool and early primary teachers and parents to introduce students to varied elements of grammar, spelling, punctuation and oral pitch, as well as tossing in some numeracy skills, too. This delightful book includes a wonderful collection of humour, creativity and playfulness that is sure to ruffle some parents’ feathers when asked to read this over and over again!
Reviewed by Romi Sharp
