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Rattlebone Rock
The skeletons dance
And rattle their bones.
Ghosts join in
With musical moans.
Mice squeak by
And bats swoop down.
The BOOMA beat echoes
All through the town.
Witches and goblins
Make the tombstones Knock.
It's time to dance
To the Rattlebone Rock!
And rattle their bones.
Ghosts join in
With musical moans.
Mice squeak by
And bats swoop down.
The BOOMA beat echoes
All through the town.
Witches and goblins
Make the tombstones Knock.
It's time to dance
To the Rattlebone Rock!
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 25, 2017
SPOOKTACULAR fun!
October 11, 2020
The residents of the local graveyard start to boogie down one spooky night in this rhyming picture-book romp. From the skeletons rattling to the banshees wailing, they all get into the Rattlebone Rock. The local townsfolk, startled by the racket, come to investigate, and decide that this is the best Halloween celebration ever...
Pairing a well-constructed rhyming text from author Sylvia Andrews with colorful, cartoonish artwork from illustrator Jennifer Plecas, Rattlebone Rock would make an excellent read-aloud selection for a Halloween story time. The use of onomatopoeia, and the humor in the illustrations, both add to the entertainment. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Halloween stories with just a little bit of spookiness, and a whole lot of fun.
Pairing a well-constructed rhyming text from author Sylvia Andrews with colorful, cartoonish artwork from illustrator Jennifer Plecas, Rattlebone Rock would make an excellent read-aloud selection for a Halloween story time. The use of onomatopoeia, and the humor in the illustrations, both add to the entertainment. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Halloween stories with just a little bit of spookiness, and a whole lot of fun.
August 21, 2016
Rocking rhythm, unforced rhymes, and funky onomatopoeia make this read-aloud a joy. Classic halloween characters in not-too-scary illustration fill the pages. Simple story arc with a satisfying ending.
November 12, 2018
My son randomly picked this book out at the library and he LOVES it. He has made his Dad or me read it to him at bedtime every night for at least a week now. The rhythm of the poetry in this book is awesome. It has a great syncopated beat that enables you to sing the entire book. I would always start by saying, "Booma-boom, Booma-boom, Booma-boom" and tapping the rhythm on the floor with my hands, and then my toddler would join in with the tapping. Then periodically throughout the book I'd go back to "Booma-boom"ing. It made the book really interactive and fun for him. This book is also good for taking some of the fright out of Halloween because it makes the graveyard into a dance party and all of the Halloween characters are goofy and fun.
ETA: For three weeks straight my son has been picking this book out for bedtime every single night. It's now mid-November, and it has to go back to the library tomorrow. I may have to track down a copy for our home if he's totally heartbroken.
ETA: Checked this out again in 2017 and both kids (5 and almost 3) enjoyed it very much.
ETA October 2018: Still my favorite Halloween book to read, and all three kids got to listen to it this year.
ETA: For three weeks straight my son has been picking this book out for bedtime every single night. It's now mid-November, and it has to go back to the library tomorrow. I may have to track down a copy for our home if he's totally heartbroken.
ETA: Checked this out again in 2017 and both kids (5 and almost 3) enjoyed it very much.
ETA October 2018: Still my favorite Halloween book to read, and all three kids got to listen to it this year.
November 2, 2013
When goblins, skeletons, witches, a banshee, and all the other graveyard ghouls have an all night party, the Booma-Boom and Rappa-Tap beat shakes the whole town. Even the mayor comes out to boogie to that irresistible syncopating rhythm. The clever rhymes and catchy rhythms of this adorable story will have you Clacka-Clacking and Shousha-Shapping all night long with the bats and owls.
I picked up this book at the library in honor of Halloween, and I loved it. My biggest issue with rhyming picture books is that often they feel like the author is really stretching. There’s almost always a word here and there that feels a little (or a lot) out of place, or a verse where the rhythm has been sacrificed. But this story is so well put together that reading it aloud is just like singing a song. If I had one complaint about this story, it would be that my kids were so excited to tell me about everything in the pictures (my 2 year old LOVES the banshee picture) that they kept interrupting me and I got thrown off my groove with the rhythm. Great story!
http://childrensbooksonadime.wordpres...
I picked up this book at the library in honor of Halloween, and I loved it. My biggest issue with rhyming picture books is that often they feel like the author is really stretching. There’s almost always a word here and there that feels a little (or a lot) out of place, or a verse where the rhythm has been sacrificed. But this story is so well put together that reading it aloud is just like singing a song. If I had one complaint about this story, it would be that my kids were so excited to tell me about everything in the pictures (my 2 year old LOVES the banshee picture) that they kept interrupting me and I got thrown off my groove with the rhythm. Great story!
http://childrensbooksonadime.wordpres...
December 1, 2007
Hands-down, this is the absolute best Halloween book for young children. We bought this when it first came out in 1997, and it still has an honored spot on our shelves. Every year, we pull it out and revel in the fanciful pictures, catchy rhymes, and joy of the season.
We started reading this when my son was only a few months old, and now that he's almost 9, it's still a favorite -- and our younger two kids love it just as much. Don't miss this book!
We started reading this when my son was only a few months old, and now that he's almost 9, it's still a favorite -- and our younger two kids love it just as much. Don't miss this book!
August 3, 2007
Groovy percussive repetition and rhyme with ghoulishly fun illustrations make this a Hallowe’en must. You’ll be chanting it in your sleep — and loving it!
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/1...
Listen to our chat about this book on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/1...
October 29, 2010
I love reading this to the 2nd graders. They like to "echo" the sounds the creatures make--I say "boo a boo", they say "boo a boo". Great
syncopated beat which they love. I also like that it makes dancing in the graveyard sound like a fun party instead of something to be afraid of.
syncopated beat which they love. I also like that it makes dancing in the graveyard sound like a fun party instead of something to be afraid of.
August 22, 2011
Great Halloween book that my oldest picked out at the library during our last visit! He's a Halloween baby, so he loves anything that talks about Halloween. This is a must have for my school library! Can't wait to order it!
October 8, 2013
A great Halloween story that continues to grow when you read it. Kids can participate too with making the sounds that the skeletons and witches make.
I like how the book rhymes and it is fun and has lots of sounds that kids can participate in.
I like how the book rhymes and it is fun and has lots of sounds that kids can participate in.
October 6, 2008
I found this at the dollar store, and it was a bargain! It's a fun Halloween rhyme, with zany illustrations. My kids request it.
April 21, 2012
As a teacher this was my favorite Halloween book to read to the kids. It has a sing songy rhyme through the book that the kids just love!
March 1, 2015
I just loved this book!! a fantastic children's book. highly enjoyable for both child and adult!
December 20, 2016
Excellent rhythm and rhyme - great for getting kiddos to get up and boogie. :)
March 27, 2018
This would be a great book to read-aloud around Halloween time. This book could also be used to incorporate music into the elementary classroom. I really liked how the book had a rhythmic pattern throughout.
October 4, 2023
A favorite Halloween story rhyme
November 4, 2023
Love reading this book aloud with the grandkids, any time of year.
March 21, 2017
This is a fun rhyming story that we read to a beat in our house. My daughter loves all things Halloween, so it's a hit here.
October 10, 2017
This musical, rhyming story in the form of a song takes place in a graveyard with various spooky and creepy characters. Eventually, friendly more familiar animals and people join in as well, to join the celebration and dance that lasts all night. It is a fun, musical book with a great syncopating beat and high entertainment value, recommended for children ages 3-8.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews