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Skeleton Hiccups
What's the best way to help a skeleton get over his hiccups?
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
14 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Margery Cuyler
73 books70 followersMargery Cuyler is the author of many books for children, including From Here to There, The Little Dump Truck, and That’s Good! That’s Bad! The idea for That’s Good! That’s Bad! was inspired by a conversation with her son, Thomas, who asked, "Can't bad things change into good things?" Ms. Cuyler grew up in the oldest house in Princeton, NJ, and started writing stories as soon as she learned how to write. She now lives in the same house with her husband, sons and two cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/marger...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/marger...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
October 31, 2017
How does a Skeleton get rid of the hiccups? Well, read the story to find out.
Cute artwork, warm and cozy. The kids had fun with this book and all the things pouring out of the skeleton. Very simple rhymes, good for any child able to pay attention.
Perfect for a cozy Halloween night.
Cute artwork, warm and cozy. The kids had fun with this book and all the things pouring out of the skeleton. Very simple rhymes, good for any child able to pay attention.
Perfect for a cozy Halloween night.
October 19, 2016
This book was boring and my students didn't like it...
Read
April 18, 2012Sometimes we should read just for fun. This is one such book. This book shows that everybody experiences similar things sometime or the other. Even a skeleton can get hiccups. This book could be read at Halloween time, or when a child is bothered by hiccups in the classroom. The book also depicts how friends help each other feel comfortable.This book can be read to help children deal with their fears of skeletons and ghosts.
Extension
After reading the book to a whole group assign roles to the children. The teacher can be the narrator and the children can enact the story out. You can have dress up clothes for the children too.
Extension
After reading the book to a whole group assign roles to the children. The teacher can be the narrator and the children can enact the story out. You can have dress up clothes for the children too.
October 19, 2016
A bit annoying to read outloud, but, at pre-school story time children thought his methods of getting rid of the hiccups were very silly!
September 24, 2019
This turned into a fun read aloud. The kids did the -hic-part and I read. So fun!
November 4, 2018
With a bad case of the hiccups, Skeleton found that his everyday tasks, from brushing his teeth to polishing his bones, were far more difficult to accomplish. He tried everything he could think of, and everthing his friend Ghost suggested, to rid himself of this tiresome affliction, but nothing seemed to work. Then Ghost had a bright idea, and brought him a mirror...
Author Margery Cuyler's narrative in Skeleton Hiccups is quite simple - the text on each two-page spread describes an action ("carved a pumpkin"), and follows it up with a "hic, hic, hic" - and is paired with bright, colorful artwork from illustrator S.D. Schindler, artwork that features an often comical Skeleton prominently on the page. The result is a book that, although a little boring when read silently to oneself, makes for an excellent read-aloud. Although not explicitly about Halloween, it would make an excellent storytime selection for that time of year. My only word of warning, in that respect, is as follows: after reading this one aloud myself, giving full vent to the refrain of "hic, hic, hic," I discovered that I had given myself the hiccups for real. Storytellers beware!
Author Margery Cuyler's narrative in Skeleton Hiccups is quite simple - the text on each two-page spread describes an action ("carved a pumpkin"), and follows it up with a "hic, hic, hic" - and is paired with bright, colorful artwork from illustrator S.D. Schindler, artwork that features an often comical Skeleton prominently on the page. The result is a book that, although a little boring when read silently to oneself, makes for an excellent read-aloud. Although not explicitly about Halloween, it would make an excellent storytime selection for that time of year. My only word of warning, in that respect, is as follows: after reading this one aloud myself, giving full vent to the refrain of "hic, hic, hic," I discovered that I had given myself the hiccups for real. Storytellers beware!
August 29, 2016
We've all did it - Got those hiccups that wont go away - This time it's skeleton's turn. Fun story for Halloween or any time of the year.
September 11, 2019
Skeleton tries different ways to get rid of those annoying hiccups. The pictures are cute for Halloween time.
Read
June 22, 2010Chaos ensues when Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups. He tries to go about his everyday activities but with the hiccups rattling his bones, it’s hard to get things done right. Margery Cuyler’s text is very basic, but it is brought to life through witty illustrations and page design. Uncluttered pages with vivid colors pop Skeleton out from the page. Cuyler tells us that Skeleton “brushed his teeth”, but Schindler feeds us the visual punchline, which is that Skeleton’s entire jaw flies off when he hiccups. Of course, none of the traditional methods for getting rid of the hiccups work with a skeleton- the illustrations of Skeleton trying to drink water upside down, eat sugar, and hold his breath are worth a thousand words. There are plenty of “in-jokes” for the observant- Skeleton sleeps in a bed with a headstone for a headboard, wears furry bat slippers, and uses “Ghost White Bone Polish”. The text’s repeated words “hic, hic, hic” jump across the pages unsteadily, complementing the illustrations with strategic placement. Skeleton Hiccups is a true picture book. On its own, adults might find writing falls flat, but the illustrations and design complement Cuyler’s story beautifully, and beginning readers will appreciate her pared down language and repetitive patterns. The quality of the finished product will engage the youngest readers, and can be enjoyed by their grown-ups, too. Recommended for public library children’s collections and elementary school library media centers.
Review by Kirsten Kowalewski
Review by Kirsten Kowalewski
August 1, 2017
Check out more picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Hic, hic, hic! This skeleton cannot get rid of the hiccups plaguing him....
I got this book for my nephew due to Halloween. He's been loving skeletons and this is a quick and fun book. He could read all the words himself and had fun with the constant hic, hic, hics that run through every page of the book. The drawings were good, I wish they had more going on in them because the backgrounds were especially basic.
For adults this is an extremely boring book. It's too simple and basic and no way are you going to want to read this over and over with your child. The drawings are simplistic and don't spark joy, the actions of the skeleton (other than the hic, hic, hic) are not particularly fun for most of the book but are simple actions (at the end there is a ghost that helps liven things up). It isn't trying to teach a lesson either, so their is no learning involved. It's a cute premise and is fun for a read through but has no lasting power...
BOTTOM LINE: Hic, hic, hic! goes the skeleton...
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
Hic, hic, hic! This skeleton cannot get rid of the hiccups plaguing him....
I got this book for my nephew due to Halloween. He's been loving skeletons and this is a quick and fun book. He could read all the words himself and had fun with the constant hic, hic, hics that run through every page of the book. The drawings were good, I wish they had more going on in them because the backgrounds were especially basic.
For adults this is an extremely boring book. It's too simple and basic and no way are you going to want to read this over and over with your child. The drawings are simplistic and don't spark joy, the actions of the skeleton (other than the hic, hic, hic) are not particularly fun for most of the book but are simple actions (at the end there is a ghost that helps liven things up). It isn't trying to teach a lesson either, so their is no learning involved. It's a cute premise and is fun for a read through but has no lasting power...
BOTTOM LINE: Hic, hic, hic! goes the skeleton...
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
May 3, 2012
Poor old Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups! Although he tries to carry on with the day as normal, the hiccups are causing him problems! He tries to get rid of them by trying a range of techniques from drinking water upside down to holding his breath. Nothing seems to work. His good friend Ghost then suggests something he could try to make the hiccups go away.
The story is very engaging and fun for young children. I used this story in Nursery and the children absolutely loved it. The illustrations used are colourful and funny which support the story very well. It was the perfect 'read-aloud' story, and the children had much fun with the hiccup noises- hic hic hic! The text is extremely simple making it suitable for most children.
Excellent book for younger children, guaranteed to make them laugh! Recommended for ages 4 and below.
The story is very engaging and fun for young children. I used this story in Nursery and the children absolutely loved it. The illustrations used are colourful and funny which support the story very well. It was the perfect 'read-aloud' story, and the children had much fun with the hiccup noises- hic hic hic! The text is extremely simple making it suitable for most children.
Excellent book for younger children, guaranteed to make them laugh! Recommended for ages 4 and below.
July 17, 2015
This is one of the first books I got my son willingly to pick out on his own out of the library and wanting to check out and we went through a lot! The pictures are not only beautiful but funny! I even found myself giggling at some of them. I was able to get my son to interact with this book which is a huge win when it comes to his speech therapy! I am sure we will be re-reading this while this book is visiting us from the library.
October 24, 2021
Skeleton's got the hiccups. The usual methods for stopping them - holding your breath, and drinking water - don't work when you've got neither lungs NOR an esophagus. There's always scaring someone, but . . . how do you scare a skeleton?
My kids always loved this one, and it's still a treat to read as an adult.
My kids always loved this one, and it's still a treat to read as an adult.
October 25, 2017
This silly picture book will get a lot of laughs, as nearly everyone can relate to having a stubborn case of hiccups. The skeleton tries everything to get rid of his hiccups, but it’s up to his friend to help him out. Hilarious illustrations will make this a fun one to share with young kids leading up to Halloween.
November 4, 2020
This is a pretty simple book and very goofy. The illustrations are perfect. My favorite illustration is when it showed a drawing of skeleton waking up on his bed and his bed has a tomb stone head board; that was very clever. This story is so cute and silly. Skeleton wakes up with hiccups. He follows along with his daily chores and still has hiccups. So, ghost tried helping skeleton get rid of them by drinking water, scaring him, making faces, and more, but nothing worked. Then, ghost got smart and grabbed a mirror and put it behind skeleton. When skeleton turned around and seen his reflection, he scared the hiccups away. I think I know what I'm doing next time I have the hiccups and can't get rid of them.
October 31, 2025
This delightful story will tickle your funny bone. When a skeleton tries to cure his hic ups he doesn't have much luck. The typical solutions don't work very well when you are nothing but bones. The image of the skeleton drinking a glass of water upside down really makes me laugh. This silly story is perfect for Halloween or any time of the year and is sure to become a family favorite.
October 18, 2018
in this book the skeleton wakes up having hiccups.he dose all sorts of stuff to try and cure it. his friend ghost tries to help him but it still does not work. until his friend ghost finds a solution and the hiccups go away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
As a chronic suffer of hiccups, I can assure you this book will cure them by laughing! Thank you Scholastic Book Fair for introducing me to my most memorable children book. Now I get to share the giggles with my nieces.
October 30, 2017
Cute Halloween themed story for younger children, I'd say ages 3 to 5. Very simple text and illustrations.
January 12, 2021
This is such a cute book with all the hiccups, the wive's tales remedies, and cute pictures. Sometimes the rhythm is broken up by placement of "hic hic hic"
September 26, 2021
Super cute! Highly recommend for the young ones
September 29, 2021
It's a fun simple book without moral at the end.
It's enjoyable and quirky, but honestly, the best part about it are the illustrations. 💀
It's enjoyable and quirky, but honestly, the best part about it are the illustrations. 💀
September 23, 2022
Delightful! From an adult perspective the illustrations were charming and funny, and the ending was clever. Definitely recommend for spooky season.
November 7, 2016
Bug thinks the hiccups are hilarious. Every time he gets them, I’m worried that he will hyperventilate from laughing too hard. That made Skeleton Hiccups perfect for our Halloween this year. I haven’t really introduced him to too many Halloween creatures but we carved a ghost in his pumpkin, have made a few paper bats and spoken about x-rays through a very strange turn of events. I don’t think he completely understands that everyone has a skeleton but that’s ok. We have years for that and enjoyment of the story doesn’t really have anything to do with comprehension of what a skeleton is.
The story is very simple and amusing in a slap-stick sort of way. As poor Skeleton tries to go about his day with the hiccups he drops the soap, dislocates his jaw and arm, messes up his leaf raking and pumpkin carving, and can’t properly play catch with his pal, Ghost. Ghost then encourages Skeleton to try a myriad of remedies. From the typical hold your breath and eat a spoon full of sugar to the lesser known press your hands over your eyes and drink a glass of water upside down (how is that even possible?), Skeleton tries them all. It’s only when Ghost suddenly pulls out a mirror that Skeleton’s hiccups are scared away. Off they go hopping away, looking for some new unsuspecting victim. That part actually creeps me out a bit. Like hiccups are free-moving parasites ready to attack at any moment. Bug doesn’t view it that way, luckily and thinks that hiccups hopping is hilarious. The text was simple and sparse and often interrupted with a “hic, hic, hic.” I haven’t ever thought that’s how hiccups sound but I suppose it’s fairly subjective, much like animal noises.
Without a doubt though the illustrations were our favorite part of the story. Schindler does a fabulous job of incorporating Skeleton’s everyday routines in the pictures and adding dashes of humor. From the bone-polish to the R.I.P. on his headboard, the reader is left with little doubt that Skeleton is truly a Halloween character. He’s not made to be any scarier than a skeleton would be but isn’t really cute at any stage either. However, Schindler makes his obvious distress and annoyance at dealing with these hiccups apparent and therefore transforms Skeleton into a character with whom the reader can relate. We’ve all been there, had the hiccups at inopportune times. I find I like Bug’s take on it. Because it really is hilarious in it’s own way, this uncontrollable urge to make a hiccup noise.
Story Tips:
Be careful that you don’t make too many hiccup noises while reading the story or you may find yourself with an unwanted souvenir.
Skeleton’s day-to-day activities that have hilarious results on account of the hiccups can be extended into a discussion about cause and effect. What else does his do during the day? How else might the hiccups effect him?
I need more!
Margery Cuyler has a plethora of books to choose from including a new Halloween story called Skeleton for Dinner. If you’d like a look at all of her titles check out her website at: margerycuyler.com.
I have to admit I picked this one up because I really like S. D. Schindler. We have his story How Santa Got His Job and pull it out every year for a fresh take on the jolly old man. His most recent book is Hornbooks and Inkwells, a look at 18th century school houses. More information at: Sdschindlerbook.com
The story is very simple and amusing in a slap-stick sort of way. As poor Skeleton tries to go about his day with the hiccups he drops the soap, dislocates his jaw and arm, messes up his leaf raking and pumpkin carving, and can’t properly play catch with his pal, Ghost. Ghost then encourages Skeleton to try a myriad of remedies. From the typical hold your breath and eat a spoon full of sugar to the lesser known press your hands over your eyes and drink a glass of water upside down (how is that even possible?), Skeleton tries them all. It’s only when Ghost suddenly pulls out a mirror that Skeleton’s hiccups are scared away. Off they go hopping away, looking for some new unsuspecting victim. That part actually creeps me out a bit. Like hiccups are free-moving parasites ready to attack at any moment. Bug doesn’t view it that way, luckily and thinks that hiccups hopping is hilarious. The text was simple and sparse and often interrupted with a “hic, hic, hic.” I haven’t ever thought that’s how hiccups sound but I suppose it’s fairly subjective, much like animal noises.
Without a doubt though the illustrations were our favorite part of the story. Schindler does a fabulous job of incorporating Skeleton’s everyday routines in the pictures and adding dashes of humor. From the bone-polish to the R.I.P. on his headboard, the reader is left with little doubt that Skeleton is truly a Halloween character. He’s not made to be any scarier than a skeleton would be but isn’t really cute at any stage either. However, Schindler makes his obvious distress and annoyance at dealing with these hiccups apparent and therefore transforms Skeleton into a character with whom the reader can relate. We’ve all been there, had the hiccups at inopportune times. I find I like Bug’s take on it. Because it really is hilarious in it’s own way, this uncontrollable urge to make a hiccup noise.
Story Tips:
Be careful that you don’t make too many hiccup noises while reading the story or you may find yourself with an unwanted souvenir.
Skeleton’s day-to-day activities that have hilarious results on account of the hiccups can be extended into a discussion about cause and effect. What else does his do during the day? How else might the hiccups effect him?
I need more!
Margery Cuyler has a plethora of books to choose from including a new Halloween story called Skeleton for Dinner. If you’d like a look at all of her titles check out her website at: margerycuyler.com.
I have to admit I picked this one up because I really like S. D. Schindler. We have his story How Santa Got His Job and pull it out every year for a fresh take on the jolly old man. His most recent book is Hornbooks and Inkwells, a look at 18th century school houses. More information at: Sdschindlerbook.com
October 6, 2017
Cute Halloween story for little kids, it is not scary.
October 6, 2017
It's not scary enough
November 20, 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Review: Amazon.com Review
Skeletons are a little less scary when they have the hiccups. This particular skeleton can't seem to shake them--not in the shower (nice fuzzy bat slippers!), not while brushing his teeth (woops! there goes the bottom jaw!), not while polishing his bones, carving a pumpkin, raking leaves, or even when playing baseball with his friend Ghost. Ghost, instead of Boo-ing! away his buddy's hiccups right away as we might expect, advises Skeleton to hold his breath and eat some sugar and drink water upside down. When he finally does Boo! it still doesn't work. But when Ghost finds a mirror and holds it up to Skeleton's face, he sees his reflection and screams in fright! The hiccups jump away, hic, hic, hic. While it's novel to see a skeleton eating sugar, drinking water, showering, etc., it may be tricky to find the right audience for this unusual picture book that's more about hiccups than Halloween. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Recommendation: 4-8
Notes: Great book for retelling by students
Review: Amazon.com Review
Skeletons are a little less scary when they have the hiccups. This particular skeleton can't seem to shake them--not in the shower (nice fuzzy bat slippers!), not while brushing his teeth (woops! there goes the bottom jaw!), not while polishing his bones, carving a pumpkin, raking leaves, or even when playing baseball with his friend Ghost. Ghost, instead of Boo-ing! away his buddy's hiccups right away as we might expect, advises Skeleton to hold his breath and eat some sugar and drink water upside down. When he finally does Boo! it still doesn't work. But when Ghost finds a mirror and holds it up to Skeleton's face, he sees his reflection and screams in fright! The hiccups jump away, hic, hic, hic. While it's novel to see a skeleton eating sugar, drinking water, showering, etc., it may be tricky to find the right audience for this unusual picture book that's more about hiccups than Halloween. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Recommendation: 4-8
Notes: Great book for retelling by students
March 2, 2009
For anyone who's had the hiccups, this will hit home. Poor Skeleton wakes up with the "hic, hic, hic" hiccups. His friend, Ghost, tells Skeleton various ways on how to stop the hiccups. From holding his breath, to eating sugar (which is much harder for a Skeleton!), and to drinking water upside down, nothing seems to work for Skeleton.
Finally, Ghost comes up with a plan that will get rid of the hiccups for good. A humorous one to read to a group of preschoolers or one-on-one. A fun one to expressively read aloud with fun illustrations to help create the laughter as well. You could also make your own paper skeleton (ex. Ellison Die) and have the children sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" while acting out the verses with their skeletons. Don't forget to add the newest verse, "If you're happy and you know it, hiccup out loud *Hiccup, hiccup".
Finally, Ghost comes up with a plan that will get rid of the hiccups for good. A humorous one to read to a group of preschoolers or one-on-one. A fun one to expressively read aloud with fun illustrations to help create the laughter as well. You could also make your own paper skeleton (ex. Ellison Die) and have the children sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" while acting out the verses with their skeletons. Don't forget to add the newest verse, "If you're happy and you know it, hiccup out loud *Hiccup, hiccup".
September 18, 2010
Positively reviewed. (www.denverlibrary.org)
Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups, and desperately tries to get through his day despite the disasters the hiccups invoke. Hilarity spreads across every page as the illustrations demonstrate what a debacle hiccups are for a skeleton. For example, he looses his lower jaw when he hiccups brushing his teeth. Thankfully, Skeleton's friend, Ghost, makes an appearance and saves the day by finally determining that Skeleton can look in the mirror and scare away his hiccups. While the ending is a bit predictable, the story is fun and clever.
Perfect for a read-aloud for Halloween! K-2nd grade can appreciate the humor in this story.
Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups, and desperately tries to get through his day despite the disasters the hiccups invoke. Hilarity spreads across every page as the illustrations demonstrate what a debacle hiccups are for a skeleton. For example, he looses his lower jaw when he hiccups brushing his teeth. Thankfully, Skeleton's friend, Ghost, makes an appearance and saves the day by finally determining that Skeleton can look in the mirror and scare away his hiccups. While the ending is a bit predictable, the story is fun and clever.
Perfect for a read-aloud for Halloween! K-2nd grade can appreciate the humor in this story.
July 1, 2016
SKELETON HICCUPS
-------------------------------------
Ages: 2 to 8
Illustrations: Cute! Apt to make young children laugh at the silliness of a skeleton doing things like drinking and polishing his bones.
Sounds: Kids might enjoy making the "hiccup noise," as it is repeated in each (or nearly?) second frame.
Story: No moral here! But, this is a short story to make kids laugh, especially around Halloween or in the case that they have, gasp, hiccups!
Contains: Ghosts, illustrations of things such as tombstones, Halloween pumpkins, etc. Therefore, not recommended for those who avoid Halloween, ghosts, etc.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews