About This Book
Reach for this book when your child has 'the wiggles' or when you want to celebrate a moment of pure, unbridled silliness. It is the perfect antidote to a day that has felt too rigid or serious, offering a permission slip for children to embrace their most energetic and imaginative selves. Margaret Mahy, a master of wordplay, introduces a mysterious visitor who arrives only once every five hundred years to juggle, bounce, and dance across the page. While the plot is simple, the book is an emotional powerhouse of joy and wonder. It encourages children to appreciate the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary. The rhythmic, percussive poetry makes it a delightful read-aloud for preschoolers and early elementary students, fostering a love for language while validating their natural desire to move. It is a celebration of being alive and the magic of a moment that is here and then gone.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The book is entirely secular and celebratory, focusing on the ephemeral nature of joy and the beauty of a fleeting moment.
Ideal Reader
An active 5-year-old who finds it hard to sit still during storytime. This child needs a book that moves at their pace and mirrors their internal high-voltage energy with linguistic acrobatics.
