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Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3

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Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
Front cover illustration showing apple tree
AuthorBill Martin Jr. & Michael Sampson[1]
IllustratorLois Ehlert[1]
Cover artistLois Ehlert
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Chicka Learning Series
Subjectnumbers
GenreChildren's book
PublisherSimon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date
July 2, 2004
Publication placeUnited States
Media typeHardback
Pages40
ISBN0-689-85881-7
OCLC53900934
[E] 22
LC ClassPZ8.3.M3988 Cf 2004
Preceded byChicka Chicka Boom Boom 
Followed byN/A 

Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 is the title of a children's picture book written by Bill Martin, Jr. and Michael Sampson, and illustrated by Lois Ehlert in 2004 by Simon & Schuster.[1] It is a sequel to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Plot

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Anthropomorphic numbers from 1 to 20 (including 5 wearing a top hat) in counting order, then 30 to 90 by tens (including 70 with long hair), and finally 99, climb up an apple tree. While watching the numbers climb, the number 0 tries to find a place available for him in the tree.

However, 0 soon realizes there is no more room left for him, until a colony of bumblebees angrily claim the tree, ordering the numbers to leave. They furiously fly around the numbers, counting backwards, causing all of them to fall out of the tree - except for 10 who is hiding (but including 99 who falls out before the rest of the numbers). Some of the numbers are shown to have suffered certain injuries from the fall, including 11 being bent up, 8 being cracked, and 6 being twisted.

The number 0 finally finds his place in the tree and goes to the top, joining with 10 and forming the large number 100 to scare the bumblebees away. Then all the other numbers (including 8 wearing a bandage) return and climb up the tree again, to cheer for 10 and 0’s bravery.

Development

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The publisher, S&S, originally asked Bill Martin, Jr. to write a sequel to his book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. But when he and co-author Michael Sampson turned the manuscript in, it was rejected. That manuscript was published by Henry Holt as the title Rock It, Sock It, Number Line. Five years later, Martin and Sampson wrote a second counting book, and it became Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3.

Reception

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The book quickly became a best-seller, and is used by teachers throughout the United States to teach counting and place value to young children.

Awards

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The book has won numerous awards from a variety of publications, libraries, and parenting groups, including Best Book of 2004 by Parenting Magazine.

Adaptations

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In 2005, Weston Woods Studios made an animated musical short film adaptation of the book. As with the original Chicka Chicka Boom Boom cartoon, its music was composed and performed by Crystal Taliefero.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Children's Book Review: Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3". Publishers Weekly. July 19, 2004. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
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