Christmas Parade

by Sandra Boynton

A delightful Christmas picture book filled with hilarious characters and dynamic art from the one and only Sandra Boynton!

BOOM biddy BOOM biddy BOOM BOOM BOOM!
What’s that noise filling the room?
From this rousing beginning unfolds Christmas Parade, a merry picture book from Sandra Boynton.
As the dynamic parade of forty-six spiffy and intent animal musicians marches by, young readers will see animals and their instruments in turn: chickens with bassoons, ducks with trombones, mice with piccolos, cow saxophonists, a tiny bird with a large tuba, a glockenspiel pig, even a trumpet-playing Santa rhino—all underscored by marching snares (fifteen hippos, one cat) and one booming bass drum (an intrepid elephant).
Written with the irresistible rhythm of a lively marching band and illustrated by the author with those signature Boynton characters, Christmas Parade is a superb present for young children and families everywhere. Biddy BOOM.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Music, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2012

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is short and sweet. A rhyming story about who is in the Christmas Parade. I think the hippo should have been the piccolo player - would have been funny. A whimsical book. There really isn't a whole lot of story.

The kids didn't give it too much reaction. They enjoyed seeing the bird playing the tuba.

It's not one of my favorites, not terrible.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darling illustrations, as always, and such a fun rhyme!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, little story about animals in a Christmas parade. I love Sandra Boynton's illustrations and enjoyed this little holiday story.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to grab this the other day and read when I had time. Then this morning I needed a book for movement storytime. Read through this and knew it was perfect. I had the kids make animals sounds and then play the instruments. They loved it. The great thing--none of the kids there are from my preschool. So I can read it again then!

12/14/16 & 12/15/16 A great way to end the Toddler Christmas theme. Did sounds and instruments again. They loved it. The only downside is the book isn't larger. But both crowds were decent size, so it still worked.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My little tator tot loves it! She does such a great job with sounds and rhyming. ❤️

[Mum Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Christmas board book to read to my grandchild.

[Kevin McGinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

By far Her best book. It still sucks.

[Nathan Meier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. The piccolo mice are cute and fun! Nice touch at the end.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute children’s picture book that is a fun rhyming story about a Christmas parade.

[Isabel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Christmas Parade for Baby/Toddler Storytime twice in December because it was such a success the first time around. The book features various animals in a holiday parade playing various instruments. There are many instances of onomatopoeia that make the story more interactive and enjoyable as a read-aloud.

The first time I read this book (12-10-14), I used a musical instrument (a maraca) to go along with the text of this book. Before starting, I invited the audience to stamp their feet with me when I said the words “Boom biddy boom biddy, boom boom boom!” For lap babies, parents could move their feet for them. I had a great result! I added this phrase before flipping most pages over and the kids really enjoyed stamping along with me. The musical maraca sounds kept them captivated as well.

The second time I read this book (12-17-13), I handed out little shaker boxes wrapped in gift paper (so they looked like Presents) to all the kids. Every time I said the refrain, “Boom biddy boom biddy, boom boom boom,” they shook their boxes along with the beat. I really enjoyed it, and I could tell the kids and parents loved it as well. This is definitely one that I will re-use during holiday time in the future.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the rhymes and funny animal creature, both a Boynton trademark, were lively and cute but my husband wasn't so amused by the story and thought it was a bit obnoxious. The colors are bold and saturated mixed with some paler neutrals- it's not overly Christmasy so the book's season may possibly be extended. I really like the paper quality of both the dust jacket and the pages. Overall, it's nice but likely not worth anywhere near the $15 cover price.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable rhyming text with hippos celebrating a Christmas parade. What could be better? A very fun read for Christmas themed storytimes and would easily lend itself to having your own parade with lots of instruments. Lots of activity ideas that could work with this one (make your own instrument, march in a parade, write your own song, etc)

[Marissa Elera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's great to have a Sandra Boynton book in picture book format, though, it is still on the smaller side trim wise.

This title is not the best out of Boynton's body of work, it's just average for her. But Boynton's average is miles better than a lot of work out there for children, so rest assured this is a good book!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Christmas season themed story time, this might be nice. It's simple and clever. Perhaps you could even incorporate instruments into the story time, if there isn't already a recording of the book out there.

The only downside is that it is a bit small. So, if you're hosting a huge family story time, not everyone would be able to see the pictures.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! Silly animals parading and playing musical instruments. The young ones I read this story to laughed a lot. I wish it had a CD or access to the music played by the various instruments and for the short music at the end-I don't read or play music. Or this book would make a great app.

[Cara Noyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! I loved sharing it with my students, and I will need to share it with kindergarten and first grade on a regular basis. I can introduce instruments like the bass drum, snare drum, bassoon, saxophone, piccolo, bugle, and of course the tuba! The kids enjoy finding the rhyming words. The illustrations of these animals are precious. I love this author :-)!

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boynton does it again! Her characters are out and about as they create the Christmas parade. Readers will love the familiar characters and art styles as well as the cute song at the end. This book is also a good source for music vocabulary that can ease into the topic. Very entertaining.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at drop-in story time on 12/14/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Preschool Story Time on 12/14/16: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton strikes all the right notes with a rhyming narrative, her signature characters playing a variety of instruments and her bright, cheerful illustrations.
My full review:
http://bit.ly/10aAnhv

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but not outstanding for me. I guess I just don't associate matching bands and Christmas so this did not fit my idea of a holiday read. Those who do might feel more enthused. Little one liked the sounds of the instruments "boom-boom-boom" etc in the text.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Ity won't be my favorite Christmas book ever, but it was cute. Of course, the only reason I could check it out is that The holidays are well over. I gather it's been popular.

Library copy.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun 'simple' book. My nearly 4 year old granddaughter and I read it together and giggled through. But then she and I went back and she practiced her counting skills, and I was able to teach her about instruments. Lots of stuff in such a little book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

use to teach about different animals and different instruments. Brightly colored. small book

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big Sandra Boynton fan but I do like this book. Perfect for reading to a toddler at Christmas time.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a story here but it would make a good read-aloud.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for Toddler Tales! hand out each instrument and use puppets/animals to help tell story

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Sandra Boynton books, and this one is just like any other. It is such a fun rhyming and counting and boom bity book. Great read.

[Katie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandra Boynton + Christmas = What could be better?

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Great for story times. This went over well with both groups. We added a musical activity, creating our own parade with marching and jingle bells.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as her other books, but I still liked it.