Waddle Giggle Gargle!

By Pamela Allen, Puffin Books, 1996.

‘Waddle giggle gargle paddle poodle’ shouts the magpie.

Waddle Giggle Gargle! tells the story of how Grandma, Grandpa, and Jonathon struggle to get past the dive-bombing magpie to get to where they’re going until they have an idea!

They live in a little blue house at the end of the street and have to pass a magpie on their way to work, the library and school. The magpie is protecting its next from any danger, and Grandma, Grandpa, and Jonathon seem to get into all sorts of swooping trouble.

There is some rhythm to the text, and a little repetition. The words the magpie repeats, ‘waddle giggle gargle paddle poodle’ is quite cute.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Jonathon come up with a wonderful solution to keep the swooping magpie away.

An endearing Australian story.