What's the Magic Word?

by Marsha Winborn (Illustrator), Kelly DiPucchio

No matter where Little Bird goes, everyone wants to know the magic word. Is it "Peep-peep?" "Moo-moo?" "Oink-oink?" How will Little Bird ever find out? Not until Little Bird returns home does he hear the magic word from his very own Mama Bird! Kelly DiPucchio's rhythmic and noise-filled text combines with Marsha Winborn's colorful illustrations for a delightful swirl of a book.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 28, 2004

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this rhyming story, a little bird hatched out of its egg and a big wind carried Little Bird up into the sky several times. Each time he lands, he asks if he can come into the home near where he sits. He is always asked for the magic word, and each animal he lands by has a different word - moo moo, or buzz buzz, or something else. Finally, he lands back where he should be and finds his mother who asks for the magic word.
Cute story and lovely illustrations.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute rhyming story. It would be fun to use it when our kindergarten classes are hatching their chicks. It would also work really well when we're writing couplets. Once students catch on to the fact that it rhymes and that there's a pattern, they could make predictions about where the chick is going to land next.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm ready as many Kelly DiPucchio books in advance of meeting at her at a conference. This book is an earlier one, from 2005. I can see its value for storytime, both for repetition and having children predict what will complete the next rhyme.

This made me wonder: how often ARE baby birds blown out of a nest? (And, the magic word is very appropriate.)

[Jen Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for primary students and young children, with lots of repetition, rhyme, opportunity for prediction, and animals and animal sounds.

[Clare Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good repetition, use of animal sounds, and rhymes!

[Ro Menendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this story will rock Toddler Story Time, become a favorite and will help us all use The Magic Word more often!

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute with lots of animal noises

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely art, cute rhyming verse great for little ones who like to make animal noises! Plus manners :)

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bird is blown out of the nest and learns what each farm animal thinks is the magic word, but is blown on before s/he can use it to enter their homes. Mom teaches her/him the real magic word when he is blown back home. Looking forward to using this for my wind story time next month. 2/24/14

With snow days, I didn't get a chance to have a wind story time, but when I looked at this I realized it was just as appropriate for a spring story time. Unfortunately, it was grabbed after the program and I just realized I have a class visit tomorrow afternoon. I'm not sure if the replacement will come in time. 3/14

Beginning to think this is a magic book. Huge hit at story time again. 3/17/15

This kept the patrons' attention as the last book at story time and enjoyed by all.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bird is blown from his nest and is tossed along by the wind into the path of a variety of animals who always ask him what the magic word is (in their mind it is whatever sound they make - dog: woof; owl: hoo; etc.). He is finally blown home where is mother accepts him back into the nest with the real magic word: Please!

Illustrations are okay.

[Beth Given · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cute little story! It encourages etiquette — my favorite part — while also building vocabulary. There’s rhyming and repetition, which makes it fun to read aloud. And there’s a sweet ending, showing that mother/child bond that makes my insides all gooey.

[Sarah]

Not the most weather related book, but it is cute, and about a wind that blows a baby chick from place to place where he tries to find a mama to let him in.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

CUTE book! Joshua loves it. I'm going to buy it!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good little book - can be used as a rhyming guessing game as well as a reinforcement of saying please.

[Anthonyangelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute story, lovely repetitions and great for kids who love their stories to rhyme or have lots of animal sounds in it.

[Lissie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be great for teaching first and second graders rhyming. Good read aloud or silent read. Cute book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children follow baby bird until he returns to his mother and learns the magic word is please. Rhyming, repetitive language, onomatopoeia.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars for me, 4 stars for C.

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story with lots of animals. In my bag for my wind themed storytime.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story time for kites/wind