Catalina Madalina

PreSchool-Grade 2–Arnold once again embraces the absurd with this illustrated rendition of a traditional camp song. The title character is undeniably a peculiar protagonist: she's got only two hairs on her head, arms like an ape, big feet, and she's cross-eyed. Pity for the poor young lady with these atrocious attributes might be expected. However, the watercolor cartoons give each descriptive verse a positive spin. Catalina may only have two teeth, but she makes dental history. She uses the "…two holes in the bottom of her nose" as receptacles for "her fingers… and… her toes," a trick that earns her the respect of her fellow scouts. As she grows up and marries, her adoring father snaps photos, proudly capturing every oddity. Catalina enjoys her life and looks deliriously happy in all of the illustrations. Music is appended along with some interesting variations on her name. Arnold's trademark artwork reflects the wacky humor of this song, and will attract a young audience.–Piper L. Nyman, Fairfield/Suisun Community Library, Fairfield, CA

 

and here is Lyric of  Catalina Madalina

There was a funny girl, she had a funny name
She got it from her pappy just the same, same, same.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina [or Ooka Sonna Donna Wanna]
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

She had two hairs on the top of her head
One was alive and the other was dead.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

She had two eyes in the front of her head
One was green and the other was red.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

She had two teeth in the front of her mouth
One pointed north and the other pointed south.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

She had two lips, two beautiful lips,
Shaped just like two battleships.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

Her nose was so long that when she sneezed
It got caught in between her knees.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

Her ears stuck out like the sails of a boat
Her Adam’s apple wandered up and down her throat.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

She loved to polish her fingernails
She bought her polish in ten gallon pails.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

The language that she spoke was an awful joke
Her head was made out of solid oak
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

Her feet were flat as bathroom mats
I forgot to ask how they got like that.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.

A ten ton truck hit our Madaline
That was the end of that machine.
Catalina Madalina, Hoopin Stina, Walla dina
Oaka, Poka, Loka was her name.