Whether you’re reading aloud to a group or sharing one-on-one, The Thingamajig will leave you grinning like a mischievous monkey. It’s a reminder that even in forgetfulness, there’s magic waiting to be rediscovered.
Synopsis
A young elephant is on the case to find the miscellaneous objects their animal neighbors have lost in this playful and whimsical humdinger of a picture book.
Little elephant’s parent can’t quite remember the name of the thing they’ve lost, but they need it back! While on the hunt for the misplaced thingamajig, little elephant discovers other animals are missing things as well. Snail’s hoo-pull-dee-pewp for staying safe from the sun has disappeared. So has squirrel’s shis-moo for carrying acorns. And all the ladybugs are missing the ha-bee ja-bee they use for a table.
Is there a thief on the loose—or is there a simpler explanation for where all these different doohickeys have gone? Backmatter pages explain the around-the-world origins of each nonsense word appearing in the story.
#MelAndNikkiReview
Rilla Alexander’s latest picture book, The Thingamajig, is a delightful linguistic adventure that tickles the imagination and celebrates the universal struggle of memory lapses—even among elephants.
In a world where words dance like fireflies, a little elephant embarks on a quest to find a mysterious object. But there’s a catch: the grown-up elephant can’t remember the exact name of the item. And so begins a whimsical journey filled with funny, nonsensical words like “thing-a-ma-jig,” “who-zee-whats-it,” and “shis-moo.”
As our young pachyderm searches high and low, other animals join the hunt. A bird seeks its “hoo-zeewots-it,” and a snail scours for its “hoo-pull-dee-pewp.” The twist? They’re all after the same thing—the elusive bottle cap! Through this playful wordplay, Alexander weaves a tapestry of linguistic diversity, from Zulu to Japanese to Irish English.
Why You’ll Giggle Along
1. Word Magic
The book celebrates the joy of language, reminding us that sometimes the most delightful words are the ones we can’t quite remember.
2. Collaged Wonder
Alexander’s illustrations, crafted from collaged photographs and hand-cut rubber stamps, burst with childlike energy. Each page invites exploration.
3. Global Whatchamacallits
The backmatter reveals the origins of these whimsical terms, making it a delightful learning experience for curious minds.
Whether you’re reading aloud to a group or sharing one-on-one, The Thingamajig will leave you grinning like a mischievous monkey. It’s a reminder that even in forgetfulness, there’s magic waiting to be rediscovered.
So gather your little linguists, raise your eyebrows at the next forgotten word, and dive into the delightful chaos of The Thingamajig. Because sometimes, the best adventures begin with a whimsical word.
About the Author & Illustrator
Rilla Alexander is an Australian designer, illustrator, and artist whose work has appeared on everything from toys and teacups to buses and buildings. She explores creativity, ideas, and language through simple characters, graphic forms, and bold colors, inspiring both children and adults through books and workshops. Her picture books include The Best Book in the World, Your Rule!, Her Idea, The New Rooster, and The Thingamajig.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
*Please note that this book was provided in exchange of an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
