Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going to dive into a fun story called “The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen.” It’s written by Thelma Lynne Godin and has colorful pictures by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Let’s get ready to enjoy this exciting tale!
Today is a special day for Kameeka. She wants to become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street by beating her friend Jamara Johnson. Kameeka is excited and ready to show off her hooping skills. But just as she’s about to start, her mom reminds her that it’s Miz Adeline’s birthday.
Miz Adeline is like a grandma to Kameeka, so she has to help with the party. Kameeka and her mom clean the house and make a delicious chocolate cake. But oh no! Kameeka sets the oven to the wrong temperature, and the cake doesn’t turn out right. They need more sugar to make a new cake, so Kameeka rushes to the store.
On her way back, Kameeka sees Jamara and Portia hooping. Even though she needs to hurry home, she can’t resist the challenge. They start hooping, and Kameeka feels the “Hula-Hoopin’ itch” as she tries to beat Jamara. But then she remembers Miz Adeline’s cake and races back home.
When Kameeka gets home, her mom is upset because there’s no cake for Miz Adeline. Kameeka feels bad and tells Miz Adeline what happened. But then she has a great idea! She makes a special doughnut cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Everyone sings “Happy Birthday,” and Miz Adeline loves it!
Miz Adeline surprises everyone by showing off her own hooping skills. She starts hooping, and soon everyone joins in, even Kameeka’s mom. The whole party spills out onto the street, and everyone is having a blast with their hoops.
At the end of the party, Jamara admits that she knows who the real Hula-Hoopin’ Queen is. Kameeka smiles, knowing that it’s not just about winning but having fun with friends and family. The streetlights shine like stars as they all hoop together, swishing and swinging down the block.
This story is special because it reminds us of the joy of playing with Hula Hoops. Even as an adult, I love to hoop whenever something exciting happens. It’s a fun way to celebrate and enjoy life. Thanks for joining this storytime, and I hope you had as much fun as I did!
Hula-Hoop Challenge at Home: Find a safe space in your home or backyard and have a mini Hula-Hoop contest with your family or friends. See who can keep the hoop spinning the longest. Try different tricks like spinning the hoop on your arm or leg. Talk about how it feels to try something new and how practice can help you get better.
Bake a Cake Together: With the help of an adult, try baking a simple cake or cupcakes. Pay attention to the ingredients and the steps needed to make the cake. Discuss what happens if you forget an ingredient or set the oven to the wrong temperature, just like Kameeka did. How can you fix it? What other creative solutions can you think of if something goes wrong?
Storytime Reflection: Think about a time when you had to choose between two things you wanted to do. How did you decide what to do? Draw a picture or write a short story about your experience. Share your story with a friend or family member and talk about how you felt during that time.
Welcome to Storyline Online, brought to you by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. I’m Oprah Winfrey, and today I’m going to be reading “The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen” written by Thelma Lynne Godin and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
Today is the day I’m going to beat Jamara Johnson at hooping. Then I’ll be the Hula-Hoopin’ queen of 139th Street! Jamara says she’s going to be the queen forever, but last week I almost beat her. I sort through my hoops and pick out my favorite. And then I feel it coming on—the itch. The Hula-Hoopin’ itch. My fingers start snapping, my feet start tapping, and my hips start swinging. I’m just reaching for a hoop when Mama says, “Girl, don’t you even think about it. You know today is Miz Adeline’s birthday.”
Heat washes over me, and I stamp my foot. Don’t get me wrong; I love Miz Adeline. She lives right next door. Miz Adeline took care of Mama when she was little, and she took care of me too. She’s like my very own grandmama. “But, Mama,” I burst out, “I can’t help with Miz Adeline’s party. I’m supposed to meet Jamara. Today’s the day…”
Mama stands as still as water in a puddle. She gives me her look and then hands me a broom. I sigh loudly and start sweeping. But when Mama’s not watching, I push my favorite hoop a little closer to the door with my toe. Mama and I dust every room and scrub down the floors. We polish each window until we can see clear to New Jersey. After that, I peel potatoes while Mama starts mixing up her special double-fudge chocolate cake.
“Kameeka, set the oven to 350 degrees,” Mama says as she empties the last of the sugar into the mixing bowl. “And add sugar to the grocery list.” I push the button on the oven and look out the window. It’s already getting late. I bet Jamara’s telling everybody I’m too scared to hoop her. While the cake bakes, we make up plates of fancy sandwiches. Then Mama slices strawberries and shows me how to make whipped cream.
When the timer rings, Mama opens the oven. “Kameeka!” Mama yells as she checks the oven temperature. “You only set it to 250 degrees!” Miz Adeline’s birthday cake looks like someone sat on it. Mama says we’ll have to start over. Mama sends me to the store to buy more sugar. On my way out the door, I grab a hoop like I usually do, but when I get outside, I remember that I’m on a mission. Miz Adeline’s party will be starting in a couple of hours. Mama has to finish the potato salad, and we still have to make another cake. I don’t even twirl my hoop as I hurry down the street. I don’t stop to blow kisses to Miss Evelyn or wave to Mr. John in the bakery.
I’m coming out of the store when I see Jamara and Portia hooping on the corner of 139th and Broadway. “We thought you weren’t coming, Kameeka,” says Jamara with a smirk. I need to get the sugar back to Mama, but Jamara sounds so smug I can’t stand it. “Well, you thought wrong,” I tell her. “You ready?” she asks. “I was born ready.” And then I feel it coming on—the itch. The Hula-Hoopin’ itch. “Whoever hoops the longest is the winner,” Portia says. As soon as she shouts “Go!” my fingers start snapping, and my feet start tapping. My hips start swinging, and I just know I’m going to beat Jamara today.
Neighborhood kids crowd around as Jamara and I hoop. Cars honk and slow down. Trucks roar past, throwing up heat and dust from the pavement. Swish, swiggle, swish. Jamara frowns. “You’ve been practicing some,” she says. “That’s right, girl.” A grin stretches across my face. The sun moves between the buildings, and the sidewalk starts cooling down, but Jamara and I keep on hooping. “I’ve got doughnuts for Miz Adeline’s party,” Mr. John calls out as he closes up the bakery. Swish, swiggle, swish, swiggle. “Miz Adeline’s cake!” I shout. My hoop clatters to the sidewalk. I grab it and the sugar and race up the block. I can hear Jamara laughing behind me.
By the time I reach our apartment, Mama is madder than a hornet. “Kameeka Hayes!” she scolds. “I’m sorry, Mama. I saw Jamara and—” “Girl, I don’t want to hear that Hula-Hoopin’ nonsense. It’s too late now. Miz Adeline’s already here. You take yourself on into the living room and explain to Miz Adeline why she won’t have cake for her birthday.” Miz Adeline brought her own music, and she’s got it turned up loud. She’s sitting and listening to a jazzy blues tune, nodding her head like a spring robin looking for a worm.
“Hi, Miz Adeline,” I say. “Happy Birthday.” “Kameeka, come here, baby. Give me a kiss.” I come in close and kiss Miz Adeline’s soft cheek. Then I whisper in her ear, “You don’t really like cake much, do you?” “Baby girl, you know I sure do love cake. Chocolate cake with strawberries and real whipped cream on top.” She pats my arm. “Oh yes, that is my favorite cake.” Miz Adeline smiles at me. I try to smile back, but my heart is racing. I can’t tell her about the cake just yet.
Pretty soon the neighbors start arriving. Miss Evelyn’s wearing her Sunday church hat, and Mr. John’s all spruced up in a pin-striped suit. Jamara and Portia sashay in with their parents. They’re still carrying their hoops from earlier today. “Girls, I don’t want to see any hoops,” says Mama firmly to Jamara and Portia. “Okay, Mrs. Hayes,” says Jamara. She flashes her big, smirking smile at me. “Kameeka, you’re about done with hooping after today, aren’t you?” I smile right back at her. “Don’t you bet on it, Jamara.”
Most of the presents are still unopened when Miz Adeline says, “Well, I do believe it’s time for birthday cake.” I swallow hard. “Miz Adeline,” I say slowly, “we made a cake, but it didn’t turn out right. Then we needed more sugar to make another one, but I didn’t get the sugar back to Mama in time ’cause I was hooping. I was trying to beat Jamara so I could be the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street. It’s my fault there isn’t any cake.” “No cake?” says Miz Adeline, raising her eyebrows. I look over at Jamara. She’s spinning one of Mr. John’s doughnuts round and round on her finger like it’s a Hula-Hoop. Suddenly that gives me an idea. “I’ll be right back,” I yell as I race from the room.
In the kitchen, I set a chocolate doughnut on a pretty plate. I add whipped cream and strawberries. Mama comes in to help. I put a candle on top, and she lights it. As I carry the doughnut cake to Miz Adeline, Mama starts singing “Happy Birthday,” and everyone joins in. The candle glows as bright as the smile on Miz Adeline’s face. “Why, this is just about perfect,” Miz Adeline says, taking a bite of her doughnut birthday cake. “Now, Kameeka, did you say you were hooping? When I was a girl, I was the best Hula-Hooper on this block.” “Adeline, don’t you start that nonsense,” Miss Evelyn says as she marches on over to us. “You know very well I was the best.”
Miz Adeline looks at me. “Baby girl, why don’t you bring some hoops on in here and let me show this old girl what she forgot.” My eyes find Mama’s. She shakes her head. But Miz Adeline’s already pushing back chairs to make room. Then she slips a hoop over her head. And right then I know. Miz Adeline’s just like me. She’s got the itch. The Hula-Hoopin’ itch. Her fingers start snapping, and her feet start tapping. Her hips start swinging, and before we know it, that hoop is swishing right around Miz Adeline’s waist. Then she’s got it swinging around her neck. I glance over at Mama and see a smile pulling at her lips in spite of herself. Miz Adeline shimmies the hoop down past her knees. She spins it around her ankle as she hops on one foot, then the other. With the hoop still swishing round and round, Miz Adeline heads for the door. Miss Evelyn grabs one of my hoops, and Mr. John grabs another. Even Mama’s hips are swinging as the whole party spills out onto the street. Everybody’s got the itch. The Hula-Hoopin’ itch.
Pretty soon hoops are swishing and swinging all the way down the block. “Kameeka, this is the best birthday party I’ve ever had!” Miz Adeline hollers. Jamara hoops on over to me. “Kameeka,” she says, “I know who the real Hula-Hoopin’ Queen of 139th Street is.” “I do too,” I say. Jamara settles her hoop around her waist. “You ready, Kameeka?” “I was born ready,” I say. The sidewalk is cooler than a spring rain, and the streetlights shine like stars. Swish, swiggle, swish…
The end.
The reason I wanted to read this story to you all is because I love Hula Hoops so much, and it was one of my favorite things to play with when I was a girl. Even now, as an adult, I have several Hula Hoops, and I have an emoji that is an avatar of myself with a Hula Hoop. Whenever something fun, special, or fantastic happens in my life, I go out and get my Hula Hoops and I swish, swiggle, swish. Thanks for watching Storyline Online.
