Boing, by Nick Bruel

This is a book with very few words, but a lot to say! Told mostly through illustrations and comic-strip-like dialogue, the story is about a baby kangaroo who is learning to hop. His mother shows him how to hop, as does a frog, a grasshopper and a rabbit. But alas, the poor kangaroo can't seem to get off the ground! Every time he tries to jump, he ends up falling over!

Finally, an observant koala who has been watching from a tree climbs down and asks the baby kangaroo, "What do you have in your pocket?" Apparently, this baby kangaroo has been carrying everything but the kitchen sink in his pocket! When he unloads it all, and tries again, he succeeds... and there's a surprise page at the end!

When I read this story to 5-year-old Abby, she loved following the story of the little kangaroo, and she especially loved the surprise page at the end. This is the perfect story to read to preschoolers and kindergarteners, especially kids who are usually reluctant to sit for a story time! Short, sweet, and satisfying, this one is sure to be a favorite.

As you read the story, pause after each page to ask your child what she thinks will happen next. Does she think the kangaroo will learn how to jump? Why does she think the kangaroo cannot jump? Ask her what she thinks the koala, who is watching from the tree, is thinking. Since this story has very few words, it is a great book for looking at pictures and seeing what children are able to notice.

Want to get even more out of this story? Compliment t with an art project. Cut a pocket shape out of construction paper. Then, have your child draw, or cut and paste pictures from a magazine, of things he has in his imaginary pocket. Encourage your child to go wild with the things he puts in his pocket.

You can also have a jumping and hopping contest. Use masking tape or chalk to mark a starting place. Then, take turns standing on the starting line, and jumping as far as you can. Mark how far each person jumps, and see who can jump the farthest!

For even more, fun, teach your kids this song, sung to the tune of "Skip To My Lou."

Mama kangaroo-roo-roo

Hopping around the zoo-zoo-zoo

Has big feet and big ears too

And a pouch for the baby.

Papa kangaroo-roo-roo

Hopping around the zoo-zoo-zoo

Has big feet and big ears too

But no pouch for the baby.

Happy reading!