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Summary
Summary
"Yankee Doodle went to town / a-riding on a pony / stuck a feather in his hat / and called it macaroni." Many know the song "Yankee Doodle Dandy," but few understand it. This unapologetically silly picture book reveals that the legendary ride to town (and the whole macaroni thing) was all suggested by Mr. Doodle's overeager pony. This just makes Mr. Doodle cranky: "I do not want macaroni. I do not want a feather. I do not want any other clothing, any other pasta, or any other parts of a bird. I do not want anything that they have in town!" A historical note ends this colorful, comical take on a nonsensical old song.
Author Notes
Tom Angleberger was a journalist before becoming an author-illustrator. His works include the Origami Yoda series, Fake Mustache, and Horton Halfpott or, the Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, the Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset. In 2014 his title's Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue: An Origami Yoda Book and Emperor Pickletime Rides the Bus made The New York Times Best Seller List.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Angleberger (the Origami Yoda books)-in his first picture book and his first collaboration with his wife, Bell-delivers some hilarious Americana-flavored trivia through the characters in the traditional yet lyrically puzzling song, "Yankee Doodle." When a colonial-era Yankee announces that he's bored, his pony suggests the pair could go to town. "Town?" replies the man. "No way. I hate going to town. There are too many people in town." For each subsequent nudge from the pony ("You could buy a feather for your hat!"), the Yankee has a long-winded and highly opinionated rant against the idea ("A feather? For my hat? I'd look like a fool"). By book's end, both characters have had meltdowns, prompting a Yankee change of heart and a comically anachronistic trip to town that will have readers laughing. Bell's (Bug Patrol) gouache artwork features crisp lines and swaths of bold color; abundant humorous touches-from a "Ye Olde Shoe Shack!" storefront to the pony's ultra-goofy set of teeth-keep pace with Angleberger's crackling lines. Ages 4-8. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
As concepts for picture books go, it's hard to think of one cleverer than this absurdist deconstruction of the familiar song. Depicted in spindly lined cartoons, Yankee Doodle and his pony debate their plans for the afternoon. When Yankee D. complains of boredom, his pony cheerfully suggests they go to town -- do some shopping, buy a feather for his hat -- but each idea is met with garrulous disdain. "Shopping? I hate shopping. I have too much stuff already. It's all junk. They don't make stuff like they used to..." And why on earth would Y. D. call his hat "macaroni," even though, as the pony points out, the word can also mean "fancy," when "lasagna" is so much fancier? ("Lasagna has all those little ripples in it...") Readers will cheerfully hum their way through the giddily imagined argument and resolution, after which an author's note outlines the possible origins and meanings of America's goofiest ditty. christine m. heppermann (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
In this laugh-out-loud reworking of Yankee Doodle, Angleberger introduces a miserable and argumentative colonial fellow whose goofy-toothed pony tries to talk him into going to town. At first, Crankee has lots of reasons not to make the trip: There is nothing good to do in town. Why would I want to go to town? The pony suggests a shopping adventure, and then lists the things that they could purchase, and for each suggestion, his grouchy companion responds with a stream of whining answers. Eventually, the pony is brought to tears, and a contrite Crankee agrees to the trip after all, with an unexpected turn that puts the pony behind the wheel of a car. In his first picture book, the author of the Origami Yoda series puts a witty, accessible spin on the familiar song, while Bell's bright, bold gouache images extend the zany humor. One final delightful twist: it's Crankee's pony who narrates the postscript about the tale's traditional origins.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3-Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony.or did he? Not if he is Crankee Doodle! This amusing work takes a humorous poke at the traditional, albeit nonsensical, patriotic song "Yankee Doodle." As his pony implores him to go into town, Crankee gives entertaining reasons he'd rather not: there are too many people in town, he hates shopping, and thinks he'd look like a fool with a feather in his hat. This first picture book by "Origami Yoda" author Angleberger will have listeners laughing throughout and asking the obvious question, why would you call your hat macaroni? Narrator Rich Orlow gives Crankee Doodle just the right amount of "crankiness" to make this picture book as much fun to listen to as it is to read on one's own. The CD includes two read-along versions; one with sound effects for page turns and one without. Recommended for school and library collections.-Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, Fairport NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Sure he went to town...but did he want to go to town? Crankee Doodle is bored. His pony suggests going to town, but Crankee says he hates going to town. "There are too many people in town. They all run around in a hurry and ring bells and eat pies, and then they yell at each other to stop running around, ringing bells, and eating pies." Pony suggests shopping. Crankee hates shopping; he has enough stuff. Pony suggests a feather for Crankee's hat. That doesn't go over well either. Pony says Crankee could call it macaroni (that means fancy). Crankee thinks lasagna is much more fancy, but he doesn't want to call his hat macaroni or lasagna or go to town or shop. Pony offers Crankee a ride, but Crankee thinks Pony smells. Poor Pony! Will Crankee apologize? Will they get to town? Will readers ever view "Yankee Doodle" the same way again? Best-seller Angleberger of Origami Yoda fame takes on picture books, treating a younger audience to his dry and zany wit. Readers and storytime audiences will guffaw at his twist on the traditional song. Bell's gauche, heavy-outlined illustrations are comic-book panels, some spreading over two pages as Crankee Doodle and Pony converse in speech bubbles (and Crankee's jeremiads fill the page). A historical hoot full of goofy, eye-rolling goodness. (Picture book. 4-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
