Crankee Doodle
What’s inside...
“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 exclaim, “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.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Crankee Doodle
Pony
Discussion points
Why do you think Crankee Doodle didn't want to go to town?
What are some funny parts of the story that made you laugh?
How do you think the pony feels when Crankee Doodle keeps saying no?
If you could suggest another adventure for Crankee and his pony, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for Crankee Doodle and the pony to make the reading more lively and engaging.
Pause after funny parts to share a laugh with your child and discuss what made it humorous.
Ask your child to guess what Crankee or the pony might do next at various points in the story to encourage prediction skills.
Relate the story to a time when your child didn’t want to do something and discuss the feelings and outcomes of that situation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Flexibility and Creativity
Explanation: In 'Crankee Doodle', the character Mr. Doodle is initially resistant to going to town, but his pony creatively suggests various humorous reasons why they should go. This demonstrates the use of creativity to solve problems and adapt to situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be flexible in their thinking and use creativity to approach their daily challenges, whether it's finding a way to enjoy a disliked activity or solving a conflict with a friend.
Example Lesson: Humor as a coping mechanism
Explanation: The playful banter between Mr. Doodle and the pony adds a lighthearted twist to their journey, illustrating how humor can be used to deal with obstinate or mundane situations.
Real-World Application: By infusing humor into challenging or boring tasks, children can learn to handle such situations more easily and make daily activities more enjoyable.
Example Lesson: Importance of Perspective
Explanation: Throughout the story, the pony offers different perspectives on why a trip to town might be enjoyable, ultimately changing Mr. Doodle’s mind. This highlights the importance of considering different viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be open to others' perspectives, which can promote empathy and improve their ability to navigate social interactions.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The dialogue between Mr. Doodle and his pony shows a strong bond and mutual respect, reinforcing the value of supportive relationships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and nurture their friendships, understanding how significant a role friends play in their lives.