School Library Journal (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

PreS-Gr 2 Using details from the nonsensical song "Yankee Doodle," this goofy picture book focuses on a conversation between the famous gentleman and his pony, who is trying to cajole his bored owner into taking a trip to town. Crankee Doodle is having none of it, grousing about town being too noisy and chaotic, with people ringing bells, eating pies, and running around. With each additional suggestion from the pony ("You could buy a feather for your hat!" and "You could call it macaroni."), Crankee gets more and more indignant and his arguments sillier. His refutation that the word "macaroni" shouldn't mean "fancy" because lasagna noodles are really fancy is laugh-out-loud funny. Crankee relents in the end, but rather than go to town astride his pony, he rides in style in the backseat of a car, driven by his hooved pet. The cartoon illustrations are big and bold and as comical as the text. Crankee's grouchy diatribes and his pony's affable responses make for a great read-aloud, especially when paired with a sing-along of the classic tune. Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Horn Book (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Depicted in spindly lined cartoons, Yankee Doodle and his pony debate plans for the afternoon. His pony cheerfully suggests they go to town--do some shopping, buy a feather for his hat--but each idea is met with disdain. Readers will cheerfully hum their way through the giddily imagined argument and resolution. An authors note outlines possible origins of Americas goofiest ditty.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Angleberger (the Origami Yoda books)-in his first picture book and his first collaboration with his wife, Bell-delivers some hilarious Americana-flavored trivia through the characters in the traditional yet lyrically puzzling song, -Yankee Doodle.- When a colonial-era Yankee announces that he-s bored, his pony suggests the pair could go to town. -Town?- replies the man. -No way. I hate going to town. There are too many people in town.- For each subsequent nudge from the pony (-You could buy a feather for your hat!-), the Yankee has a long-winded and highly opinionated rant against the idea (-A feather? For my hat? I-d look like a fool-). By book-s end, both characters have had meltdowns, prompting a Yankee change of heart and a comically anachronistic trip to town that will have readers laughing. Bell-s (Bug Patrol) gouache artwork features crisp lines and swaths of bold color; abundant humorous touches-from a -Ye Olde Shoe Shack!- storefront to the pony-s ultra-goofy set of teeth-keep pace with Angleberger-s crackling lines. Ages 4-8. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (June)

ALA Booklist (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

In this laugh-out-loud reworking of "Yankee Doodle," Angleberger introduces a miserable and argumentative colonial fellow whose goofy-toothed pony tries to talk him into going to town. At first, Crankee has lots of reasons not to make the trip: "There is nothing good to do in town. Why would I want to go to town?" The pony suggests a shopping adventure, and then lists the things that they could purchase, and for each suggestion, his grouchy companion responds with a stream of whining answers. Eventually, the pony is brought to tears, and a contrite Crankee agrees to the trip after all, with an unexpected turn that puts the pony behind the wheel of a car. In his first picture book, the author of the Origami Yoda series puts a witty, accessible spin on the familiar song, while Bell's bright, bold gouache images extend the zany humor. One final delightful twist: it's Crankee's pony who narrates the postscript about the tale's traditional origins.