If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend (Groovy Joe #3)

Groovy Joe #3

by Eric Litwin, Tom Lichtenheld (Illustrator)

Groovy Joe is back, and this time he's singing a groovy rendition of a favorite preschool song! Are you ready to sing along? "If you're groovy and you know it,the things you do will show it!" #1 New York Times bestsellers Eric Litwin ( Pete the I Love My White Shoes ) and Tom Lichtenheld ( Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site ) are back, and adding a groovy twist to the classic children's song "If You're Happy and You Know It." This story will have little ones singing, dancing, and grooving along to a new favorite beat. Signature rhyme, repetition, and musical writing style, combined with wild and witty illustrations, come together to create a character that will have you singing all day long. Groovy Joe is back, ready to get groovy !

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Music, Childrens, Dogs, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 28, 2018

About the author

Eric Litwin (Mr. Eric) is a guitar strumming, book writing, harmonica blowing, song singing, folksy, fun type of guy. He is the # 1 New York Times Best Selling author of the first four Pete the Cat picture books and the author of the new musical series The Nuts. Eric's books have sold over 1.5 million copies, been translated into seven languages and won 15 state and national awards including a Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award. He has also recorded award winning music CDs. Eric is a popular performing artist who plays guitar, sings, tells musical stories and brings books to life. He is also a nationally respected keynote speaker on interactive literacy and music. Eric is the co-creator of The Learning Groove which offers parent and child music classes and preschool music curriculum. Eric likes music, books and coffee.

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was.....fine. The illustrations were nice, but the text (song) is super duper repetitive. There's a reason the original song tends to only go for 3-4 verses; this one goes on for 7. I'm also, admittedly, just not a huge fan of Groovy Joe, so this book just fell into the same "meh" pile.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: If you're groovy and you know it greet the day!

Premise/plot: This picture book is part of the Groovy Joe series by Eric Litwin. It is a play on the classic song, "If You're Happy And You Know It." The picture book has a lot of "verses" to sing covering Groovy Joe's entire day.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I'm not sure I loved, loved, loved it. But I certainly enjoyed it. I like the illustrations. The song was cute.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

[Beth Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Groovy Joe: If You're Groovy and You Know It' by Eric Litwin, art by Tom Lichtenheld, will have readers singing along to the familiar tune that the book presents. The pictures capture instances of friendship, kindness, fun, and exploration, leading readers to consider what they might do to be groovy in their own way. There is much to be said for stories that encourage action, as children nowadays are sometimes stuck in front of electronic devices, while this book showcases outside activities.

It's almost a given that readers will be singing along with the story, bringing a love of this new spin on the song to a new generation, and instilling a love of imagination and fun activities in the hearts and minds of children.

Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels

*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 'warm and fuzzy' book that just needed the word "then" added to keep the rhythm rolling. Not a must have, but a good option for storytime if you're looking for a sing-song book with a twist on a classic.

[Jerome Jay Isip · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're groovy and you know it, give five stars!

This book will be a great addition to my nephews book collection. The "remake" of this tune has a great rhythm and good choice of words for kids (of all ages) to follow and sing along.

[zapkode · Rating 4 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – Groovy Joe, and his take on the classic song “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

I enjoyed reading this book as it flows nicely in the rhythm of they original song. I think that any child that enjoys books based on music or that are created as “song books” will love this book and it’s entirety.

When I read it to my two year old she was all smiles and wanted to keep reading it over and over. She was one hundred percent invested in the song. If only she’d have started repeating it back to me!

I think its a fun book and children will enjoy it for years to come. It has the potential to be an asset to any child’s bookshelf.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork in this children’s picture/song book is a bright, colorful, engaging 4 or 5 stars and the simple text is a catchy 3. Both will generate opportunities for conversation and vocabulary extension with toddlers through 7 year olds. Solid choice for for care-givers of the target age group and libraries for young children with generous budgets.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like the illustrations.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete the Cat was best with Litwin and I know Groovy Joe is trying to capture that magic but this one just doesn't do it for me. I should have done a bit more research because had I known it was just a version of the "If You're Happy and You Know It", I might have diverted my school library funds to something else. The pictures are adorable and kids will enjoy the book because they already like Joe, but overall it is just OK. Tom Lichtenheld's dedication choked me up. I would only recommend this Groovy Joe title for libraries where Groovy Joe is already a hit with kids or very large libraries that may not need to be as choosy about purchases.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

If You’re Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend! (A Groovy Joe song book) by Eric Litwin, art by Tom Lichtenheld. Orchard (Scholastic), 2018. $10. 9780545883801

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Litwin has written new words to a familiar song. Your next story time has a great groovy book to add to the mix. Get ready to stand up and move those bodies!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Infant-Preschool
Animals: Dog, bear, rabbits, squirrel, turtle, skunk

A positive message combined with a familiar tune shows listeners the positive effects of sharing your experiences and talents with friends. You can make your day groovy with a hike, playing at the playground, planting a garden, giving a hug, and reading a book and singing a song by yourself and with your friends. Simple and effective.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A positive message combined with a familiar tune shows the positive effects of sharing your experiences and talents with friends. You can make your day groovy with a hike, playing at the playground, planting a garden, giving a hug, reading a book, and singing a song by yourself or with your friends. Simple and effective.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Bridget Neace · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite Groovy Joe story is still the "Dance Party Countdown," but my family enjoyed this in our nightly story time.

On the last page, the entire book/song is listed, with rhyming answers you can give to each verse (e.g. "If you're groovy and you know it, read a book/Take a look!") I wish those answers had been in the main text because they would've been fun to know/say as we were reading. However, now that we know of their existence, we'll be sure to include them on future rereads. :)

[Andrew Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slight adjustment to "If You're Happy and You Know It". Great to use in discussion with friendship and a tool for engaging with little ones. Definitely look to read the book as a starting point for talking with young ones as it likely won't be very useful or impactful just being read without conversation.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a huge Groovy Joe fan, add to this the mind-numbing repetition, subtract some solid snark that would otherwise be coming at you because he included a verse about the positivity of reading, subtract a negative meh for the cuteness of it all, and what do you get? TWO stars, people. Two stars.

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it better when Litwin doesn't try to make Pete the Cat his own by himself. That character worked best in my opinion as a collaboration. Groovy Joe is his own, and it shows. The character has his own voice. The end has a great opportunity for a writing assignment.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplified text and rhyming words set to if your happy and you know it tune! adorable illustrations would make a fun read aloud!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really neat spin-off of the traditional song, featuring Groovy Joe!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The song is really slow. Needs to be a little faster for a story time song.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Groovy Joe and his friends are singing a new version of if you're happy and you know it. Cute but a little long. Lots of chance for movment and repitition. Preschool and up

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious book that you can sing and dance to! I love Eric Litwin and how is able to involve children in “reading” a book in so many different ways.

[AMY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute rhyming/song kind of book. a dog finds ways to be positive and share with others throughout the day. Nice, colorful illustrations. Kids will like it. Recommended for Grades K-1.

[Huratio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing the turtle on every page was my favorite part.

[Andrea Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tettific and uplifting! Fun to read to classes and to help kids see things they can do to make a difference

[Lu's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lu loves Groovy Joe. I find him inane, but harmless.

(Libary book, August 2019)

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was great. My son didn't love it quite as much as some of the other Litwin books, but I still quite enjoy reading this one.

[SB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series really resonates with my 3 youngest children (3-6 yo). It’s fun for me, too.

Highly recommend.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Joe's version of Happy and You Know It! He adds verses and shows different ways to be groovy.
And Yes, I sang it to the tune of "Happy and You Know It." How could I not? Lots of fun.

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, newer version of the children's song, "If You're Happy And You Know It".

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a huge fan of this book simply because I cannot sing very well. However, I love the rhymes and how it is set to a popular tune and displays a good message to children.