Lullabyhullaballoo!

Christine Linge MacDonald is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

It is bedtime at the castle, but the little princess cannot fall asleep.
Outside, a dragon is roaring, ghosts are boooooo-ing, and other
fairy-tale characters are making their trademark noises, eventually
causing the child to cry. Anxious to right the situation, the assorted
characters sing her a lullaby, their combined efforts producing an
uproarious “lullabyhullaballoo.”

Inkpen paces his story to derive maximum impact from the seven
full-size, fold-out pages. This interactive feature is integral to the
storyline. After meeting each noisy character, we tell him or her
“Shhh!” The reader then opens the fold-out page and has the pleasure
of seeing the intimidating character looking sheepish and saying “Who,
me?” Printed in very large type, the rejoining “Yes, you!” cries
out for a choral reading.

The repetition and rhythm of the brief text strongly invite shared
reading. The fold-out pages directly involve the child in the dramatic
pacing and withstand more wear and tear than other kinds of interactive
books.

Inkpen’s cartoon-like drawings provide friendly versions of
spooky-castle denizens. The pictures are very funny and possess
sufficient detail and color variety to keep the visual attention of
young children.

With all the hullaballoo going on, and the happy shouts of “Yes,
you!”, I doubt this book’s ability to lull a child into dreamland.
However, its humorous approach may calm fears of nighttime noises and
teach a child a positive sense of neighborly altruism. Certainly it will
send them to bed with a smile. Highly recommended.