Polkabats and Octopus Slacks: 14 Stories

Rating:
Summary: hilarious
Review: I was looking for a different more "grown up" book for my 4yr old nephew, Jack, for Christmas this year. I wanted something that was funny, colorful and also appealed to his parents who would be reading it to him. This book hit the nail on the head! I waited until the day that I gave it to him to wrap it because I wanted to read and reread it. The rhymes and art work are so funny. The report back is that Jack and his parents have a new "favorite book" and "Polkabats" is it. Jack has hundreds of books so this comes as a great recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: I had to have this book for my thirty-year-old self!
Review: I was mesmerized by the NPR piece on this book and knew I would have to have it. Having been raised with Sesame Street and Dr. Seuss myself, I was instantly delighted with Calef Brown's silly style of writing, and am still devouring the wonderful illustrations! There is real art in the way Brown combines and invents words and sounds; each line seems effortlessly crafted yet is tonally rich. It's a great example of children's literature that parents can enjoy; that is, if you enjoyed silliness in your childhood! I have a four month old baby to share this gem with - and have purchased it for other kids - but make no mistake, in my house, this book is Mommy's!

Rating:
Summary: Fun for kids, funny for adults
Review: In enjoy reading these poems as much as my son loves hearing them. We were at a potluck with some friends, and my boy (just turned 3 at the time) comes out with a spontaneous recitation of "Funky Snowman", word for word. My jaw just about hit the floor. These poems are really lots of fun, and several have the rhythms of popular song. One of my favorites is about a traveling salesman who goes around in a bathtub on wheels hawking shampoo and soap with his one-legged duck (named Alphonso). As kooky as it sounds, you can almost sing this poem to the tune of "The Times They Are A-Changing". And another one called "Skeleton Flowers" sounds like the Addams Family theme song. Or maybe I'm just not getting enough sleep. Anyway, this is one of our favorites. We have another one of Brown's books, Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers. It's also good, but I like this one better.

Rating:
Summary: Call me "non-hip"
Review: Looking for a poetry book for my 6 year old, the reviews for this one made me think I couldn't go wrong. Guess again! The pictures are fun. Most of the poems while o.k. don't really thrill me. The real problem came while reading the title poem. As we all know kids quickly catch on to words we don't really care for them to repeat. One such word is found in this poem and while many of you may find it mild I do not care to hear the word "turd" coming from my son's mouth. I would definately look elsewhere for silly poetry.

Rating:
Summary: If reading were more fun it would be illegal
Review: My daughter grabbed this book at the library and being some kind of reading- Nazi, I was hesitant. "Those don't look like OUR kind of illustrations," said the little censor in my head. But I let her toss it in the bag and I am so glad I did.
We read this nightly and after I've used up all our renewals on its checkout, I think I'll have to buy it. And one for my funky parents, one for my funky brother and sister-in-law and their funky new baby, etc etc.
The poems are so catchy and fun and this is one bedtime book you will not tire of reading (!!!). The illustrations are a perfect match for the incredibly vibrant world Brown paints with his words. I'm guaranteed thatif I call out, "Does that stop Funky Snowman?" my daughter, if she's within earshot will yell enthusiastically , "NO!" If she's not within earshot, my husband just looks at me like I'm an idiot.
Brown's poetry is wonderful nonsense and I look forward to getting my hands on Daniel Pinkwater's audio production of it.
Thank God for unbiased children.

Rating:
Summary: If reading were more fun it would be illegal
Review: My daughter grabbed this book at the library and being some kind of reading- Nazi, I was hesitant. "Those don't look like OUR kind of illustrations," said the little censor in my head. But I let her toss it in the bag and I am so glad I did.
We read this nightly and after I've used up all our renewals on its checkout, I think I'll have to buy it. And one for my funky parents, one for my funky brother and sister-in-law and their funky new baby, etc etc.
The poems are so catchy and fun and this is one bedtime book you will not tire of reading (!!!). The illustrations are a perfect match for the incredibly vibrant world Brown paints with his words. I'm guaranteed thatif I call out, "Does that stop Funky Snowman?" my daughter, if she's within earshot will yell enthusiastically , "NO!" If she's not within earshot, my husband just looks at me like I'm an idiot.
Brown's poetry is wonderful nonsense and I look forward to getting my hands on Daniel Pinkwater's audio production of it.
Thank God for unbiased children.

Rating:
Summary: My son's favorite book!
Review: My son, age two, received this book for Christmas last year. He loves it! We read it almost everyday. His favorites are Polka Bats, Snails, Ed and Eliza's Jacket. Calef Brown is a very unique and funny poet. The poems are upbeat and fun to recite. My family and I find ourselves reciting various lines at the simple mention of a trigger word..such as "pocket". I just bought my son his second Calef Brown book, Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers. So, grab this book and some chocolate pudding, remember check your house for those "pesky snails" and "kick it" with the "funky snowman"!!

Rating:
Summary: My son's favorite book!
Review: My son, age two, received this book for Christmas last year. He loves it! We read it almost everyday. His favorites are Polka Bats, Snails, Ed and Eliza's Jacket. Calef Brown is a very unique and funny poet. The poems are upbeat and fun to recite. My family and I find ourselves reciting various lines at the simple mention of a trigger word..such as "pocket". I just bought my son his second Calef Brown book, Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers. So, grab this book and some chocolate pudding, remember check your house for those "pesky snails" and "kick it" with the "funky snowman"!!

Rating:
Summary: Polkabats and Octopus Slacks
Review: My toddler just loves this book, even though he's way below the recommended age for it. It's easy to read the rhymes sing-songy; he practically dances to them. I think this book is going to last us for years.

Rating:
Summary: Clever prose and imaginative illustrations hold attention
Review: Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks is filled with creative rhymes and word plays that kept my daugther intrigued. The illustrations are unusual and cleverly done. The absurd and sometimes ridiculous prose appeal to the silly in all of us. My daughter especially likes how the author drew himself as a blue elephant.