Abiyoyo Returns

This is a wonderful continuation to the story Abiyoyo. Abiyoyo is a song with orff accompaniment and story that I've used with 2nd graders. This will be a great enrichment story to go with this lesson. Thank you Pete Seeger.

I have read Abiyoyo to my class for years at Halloween. I especially like to put it in my listining center. I can always tell when they're near the end because they burst into choruses of the song. This year I was able to read the sequel to them and it was a thrill to see their faces while I turned pages. They couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next! I can't wait for a CD version for my listening center.

Both Abiyoyo books are filled with drama and kept my 3.5 year old rapt with attention. Now 5 he tells these stories beautifully (and dramatically), the quality of the bindings and illustrations is great -- great classic!

Pete Seeger's famous song "Abiyoyo" is a family favorite of ours, so I was intrigued to happen upon his "Abiyoyo Returns." For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Abiyoyo is a fearsome giant who eats people when he's hungry and is generally destructive and scary. In this tale, warmly illustrated by Michael Hays, Abiyoyo is summoned up to help move a boulder so that the local townsfolk can build a dam. But the magic wand used to call Abiyoyo up breaks, and there is no way to get Abiyoyo to disappear again. There is a Pandora's Box element to the tale, and the wisdom of elders is deftly interwoven with bright ideas contributed by the children in the village. Kids will get a special kick out of the idea that the young heroine--who looks to be maybe eight or ten years old--comes up with the idea that will allow the townspeople to peacefully co-exist with Abiyoyo, while still getting their dam built and the boulder removed.

Continue your favorite childhood book with your children. My children love Abiyoyo Returns. A wonderful story about differences, acceptance and love. It will be a favorite in your family's library. Great holiday gift.