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Ta-Da!
What makes a good story? One little girl thinks it's a princess with magical powers that can—ta-da!—overcome any obstacle. Her friend thinks it's—dun dun duh!—a combination of dragons, pirates, and fire that cause total chaos. But as their stories intertwine, these two young storytellers soon learn that a good story needs both conflict—dun dun duh!—and resolution—ta-da! An irresistible celebration of imaginary play, storytelling, and the joys of collaboration, this gorgeous picture book features two strong voices throughout, making it the perfect read-aloud.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Ellen Davis
3 books10 followersKathy Ellen Davis is a writer, bookseller, and educator who grew up making stories with her toys. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 19, 2018
Yay for imagination I guess but this was all over the place.
April 17, 2018
Two playmates or siblings try to out do each other's imaginations. Clever and fun.
July 27, 2018
First-time author Davis and first-time illustrator Kaylani Juanita team up for a "Ta-da!" fun adventure that has "Dun-dun-duh!" a boy in it who enjoys putting a monkey-wrench in a young girl's imaginary playtime. No matter what obstacles or impediments the boy throws in her way, the girl rises up and turns the table on him. For example, the dragon who is breathing fire and wrecking the castle is turned into a kind dragon. The "pirate" who takes the girl and her dragon prisoner finds she casts a spell to take the wind out of his sails and sets herself free. They continue back and forth until one day they realize they are happier playing together.
Davis uses the ta-da!/dun-dun-duh! device much the same way Remy Charlip used "Fortunately, Unfortunately", although hers is a bit more forced in many places. Juanita's mixed media artwork is lively and bright, but unfortunately a bit lifeless. A valiant first attempt, I hope to see more from both of these women as they grow.
An optional title to use with PreSchoolers - grade 3.
Davis uses the ta-da!/dun-dun-duh! device much the same way Remy Charlip used "Fortunately, Unfortunately", although hers is a bit more forced in many places. Juanita's mixed media artwork is lively and bright, but unfortunately a bit lifeless. A valiant first attempt, I hope to see more from both of these women as they grow.
An optional title to use with PreSchoolers - grade 3.
May 29, 2018
While it's true that many readers love stories with happy endings and might like to have everything go smoothly throughout a story, sometimes there simply has to be some conflict in order for there to be much of a story. In this picture book, a young girl and a young boy are at cross purposes during part of the book since she loves princesses and gentle things while he loves fire-breathing dragons and action. Every time there is a conflict and the boy attempts to sabotage the girl's play with his own games, she thwarts him with her wand and magic spells. But things get a little boring for her, and she goes in search of the boy and lends a helping hand and her wand. The text features great sound effects, which make it fun to read aloud, complemented by mixed media illustrations filled with scenes from the youngsters' imagination as they go scuba diving and find the Lost City of Atlantis. I enjoyed seeing how they used everyday objects to support their games and play, and it made me smile to see that their conflicts were resolved in just the right way. This picture book might be good to share with young writers who are trying to figure out the elements of a good story. Yes, there needs to be conflict, and yes, it needs to be resolved in some way. The repetition of the "DUN DUN DUH!" and "Ta-Da!" add to the book's delights. It might have been fun to have the little girl be the one who preferred the more violent and exuberant play, but still, this one was fun to read.
March 26, 2021
Title: “TA-DA!”
Author: Kathy Ellen Davis
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Genre: children’s literature
Theme(s): Working together, imagination
Opening line/sentence: “Once upon a time, a girl lived in a crystal castle on a hill, she had lots of animal friends and was very happy…”
Brief Book Summary: Two friends with different ideas of what makes the perfect story come together to realize they need each other’s ideas to make it the ultimate best! Friendship and team work are two ingredients for the perfect play date time story.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Learning Magazine and Kirkus Reviews say that these two young storytellers learn together that a good story needs both conflict and resolution, making this story a great book for free, imaginative play.
Framework:
Like(s): I like how they came together to tell one story, but with two perspectives.
Dislike(s): Kind of long
Patterns(s): Imagination, storytelling
Puzzle(s): What will happen next?
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): Read aloud and at the end, the kids can come up with their own free-for-all of a story like the kids did in a book. Afterwards, the class can act out their stories in small groups by performing a skit. Small groups of 2-3 are likely a good number for these skits.
Author: Kathy Ellen Davis
Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
Genre: children’s literature
Theme(s): Working together, imagination
Opening line/sentence: “Once upon a time, a girl lived in a crystal castle on a hill, she had lots of animal friends and was very happy…”
Brief Book Summary: Two friends with different ideas of what makes the perfect story come together to realize they need each other’s ideas to make it the ultimate best! Friendship and team work are two ingredients for the perfect play date time story.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Learning Magazine and Kirkus Reviews say that these two young storytellers learn together that a good story needs both conflict and resolution, making this story a great book for free, imaginative play.
Framework:
Like(s): I like how they came together to tell one story, but with two perspectives.
Dislike(s): Kind of long
Patterns(s): Imagination, storytelling
Puzzle(s): What will happen next?
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): Read aloud and at the end, the kids can come up with their own free-for-all of a story like the kids did in a book. Afterwards, the class can act out their stories in small groups by performing a skit. Small groups of 2-3 are likely a good number for these skits.
August 15, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
An adorable story about two fantastic pretenders and their journey to a stronger friendship. In the book, two friends play pretend. The boy tries to wreck havoc but the girl is always there with her magic wand to save the day... until the boy gets bored and plays by himself instead. Great story about playing together and sharing ideas, not just playing how you want to play.
The story itself is all over the place with dragons and magic shows, Atlantis and crystal castles, but it really reflects how children play. They are kind of all over the place and their storylines don't always make sense to grownups. I think this book showcased that quality well.
Very cute illustrations. I liked the mash-up of pretend and fantasy elements (city of Atlantis vs. blanket fort with fish decorations).
I really enjoyed the ending where the two pretenders figure out how to incorporate their play to create together instead of just responding to each other.
A very nice book with a great lesson.
An adorable story about two fantastic pretenders and their journey to a stronger friendship. In the book, two friends play pretend. The boy tries to wreck havoc but the girl is always there with her magic wand to save the day... until the boy gets bored and plays by himself instead. Great story about playing together and sharing ideas, not just playing how you want to play.
The story itself is all over the place with dragons and magic shows, Atlantis and crystal castles, but it really reflects how children play. They are kind of all over the place and their storylines don't always make sense to grownups. I think this book showcased that quality well.
Very cute illustrations. I liked the mash-up of pretend and fantasy elements (city of Atlantis vs. blanket fort with fish decorations).
I really enjoyed the ending where the two pretenders figure out how to incorporate their play to create together instead of just responding to each other.
A very nice book with a great lesson.
January 31, 2019
We loved it! It reminded me very much of the 'Consequences' writing exercise we used to do at school. The narrative is shared between the boy and girl (with each having their own text colour). I love how they take turns with the positive and negative events in their shared imagination story (i.e. the dog-dragon comes and breathes fire on everything but a little magic turns him into a kind dragon).
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 19, 2018
Thanks to #kidlitexchange for sharing a free copy of this book!
Ta-Da!✨ Happy release week to this picture book! The main characters use the fun phrases ‘Ta-Da!’ and ‘Dun-Dun-Duh!’ to create a story. They quickly go back and forth to add more conflict and resolution to the story filled with magic and surprise! The characters use their imaginations and every day objects to create their stories. It is a nice way for the reader to learn story elements. ✨My kids loved saying the expressive phrases throughout. The illustrations are very cute! Released yesterday! .
Ta-Da!✨ Happy release week to this picture book! The main characters use the fun phrases ‘Ta-Da!’ and ‘Dun-Dun-Duh!’ to create a story. They quickly go back and forth to add more conflict and resolution to the story filled with magic and surprise! The characters use their imaginations and every day objects to create their stories. It is a nice way for the reader to learn story elements. ✨My kids loved saying the expressive phrases throughout. The illustrations are very cute! Released yesterday! .
September 24, 2018
I thought this captured the magic of children's imaginary play quite well. With regards to the story being 'all over the place' that, I thought was a perfect interpretation (or mirror) to how kid's imagination and play can sometimes land 'all over the place.'
If you've ever eavesdropped on imaginary play (and I suspect this author has) what seems unorthodox to us, makes perfect sense to them. I loved it. It was a fun read that still makes me smile! I would recommend this book, especially if your kids like to guess what happens next!
If you've ever eavesdropped on imaginary play (and I suspect this author has) what seems unorthodox to us, makes perfect sense to them. I loved it. It was a fun read that still makes me smile! I would recommend this book, especially if your kids like to guess what happens next!
xx-dnf-skim-reference
January 6, 2021Marked dnf because that's the shelf tag that I use, usually, for books I don't rate. And maybe if I spent a lot more time with this I'd know better how I feel about it. But I can't. I don't have the energy or imagination for 1/1o of this book. I've never ever played the way these two do. Or made anywhere near the mess, or had anywhere near that many toys & kit. I just don't get it.
Otoh, I do appreciate how they come to work together. And I do appreciate how it'll be a great book for the right audience.
Otoh, I do appreciate how they come to work together. And I do appreciate how it'll be a great book for the right audience.
February 4, 2019
I thoroughly LOVED this story! It reminded me that it is okay and encouraged to use imagination just about anywhere for any reason! I read it with my 11 year old daughter for fun for a preview. Then, Kathy Ellen herself Skyped my class on Read Aloud day and read it to my kiddos while having them say the"Ta da!" and "Dun Dun dun!" parts with cute hand signals. She and the story are a new favorite of mine!
June 24, 2019
A fun and interactive picture book that showcases a child’s imagination and will leave young readers laughing about the dueling nature of storytelling, lingering over the beautiful illustrations, and wondering where in their lives they might work together to create an epic story. Smart, playful, highly entertaining.
February 23, 2020
Fun story about the power of imagination. And also about how sometimes when everything goes your way, happily ever after is boring and rather it’s working together and taking turns that leads to happily ever after. Works extra well when 2 people read it aloud together.
The pictures are also charming. I like how it blends the pretend and real bits together.
The pictures are also charming. I like how it blends the pretend and real bits together.
July 2, 2018
Super cute story about two children and their imagination that will help kids understand the concepts of conflict (dun-dun-DUH!) and resolution (Ta-Da!) in storytelling. Loved it! Hope to use it in storytime someday!
February 28, 2024
Read with Spogmai 28 feb 2024
Two young storytellers have many different adventures as they go from one imaginative story to another.
Great illustrations and sentences with different fonts and intensity.
Two young storytellers have many different adventures as they go from one imaginative story to another.
Great illustrations and sentences with different fonts and intensity.
January 8, 2018
Cute story and gorgeous illustrations!
May 13, 2018
Love the artwork! Really looking forward to seeing more from Kaylani Juanita.
June 7, 2018
Love all the imagination, but the story needs a bit more cohesiveness.
June 26, 2018
Two friends playing together figure out how to tell a tale that satisfies them both.
July 6, 2018
Very cute!
July 16, 2018
This is kind of like a "good news, bad news" format. I thought the book flip-flopped a little too vaguely.
July 17, 2018
I am extremely in love with this book and can't wait to use it for storytime!
July 20, 2018
Started out strong but became muddled with way too much happening.
July 23, 2018
Reminds me of a younger Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude (by Kevin O’Malley.)
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
July 28, 2018
Gonna be fun to do in a tag-team storytime.
August 27, 2018
I love the imagination, but this must be what it's like inside a toddler's brain - a total hot mess of unfinished idea vomiting.
September 11, 2018
This book reminded me of how my brother and I used to play. I would play where everything was nice and happy and he would create trouble.
September 19, 2018
Really dynamic illustrations and a fun story of imagination with refrains ('da da DUN'/'ta-da!') that would lend themselves really well to a group storytime read!
October 6, 2018
I wish this was more of a story and less of a series of dun-dun-duh events followed by ta-da. The best part (for me) was that two children of different races played together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews