Georgie Spider catches flies but never eats the little guys. Instead he cooks them up in pies. He doesn't use the legs or eyes or any artificial dy...
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reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Wow I am in love with this poem book and everything else that Calef Brown has written. The illustrations are hilarious and amazing and the poetry is great fun! I definitely plan on using this book during a poetry unit in my own classroom no matter what the age and plan to use it to encourage creative and crazy pieces from the kids.
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Jan 29, 2012
Lisa
rated it: 
I picked up this book from a review at dooce.com. It's a little old for Owen, he misses a lot of the humor. He loves it all the same, and the art is amazing. I can see us checking this out again when he's 5, and rolling on the floor together over the polkabat turds. Kick it, funky snowman!
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Jan 29, 2012
Matt
rated it:
Calef Brown’s children's books are truly one-of-kind experiences. Part Dr. Seuss, part Shel Silverstein, and all his original folk-art creations. Not for the close-minded, and for those who except and love that which is sometimes called "weird."
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Jan 29, 2012
Danny
rated it:
A popular bedtime selection. When Danny went through his snowman phase in December, he often said the ones he drew were "Funky" snowmen. Mom's favorite is Octopus Slacks - Kansas City Octopus is looking GOOD tonight!
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Jan 29, 2012
Janell
rated it:
I am so in love with this book I can't stand it. It might be the illustrations, or just the shear whimsy that this makes everyone feel when it is read out loud.
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Jan 29, 2012
chris
rated it:
awesome children's book. reads like slam poetry. crazy post-modern art with a very subtle macabre tinge.
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Feb 04, 2008
Bobby
rated it: 
When I need something light, I often pick up a "children's book." This is how I stumbled upon this book (after reading The Road). It's a quick read (5 minutes if that) and meant for 4-8 year olds supposedly. It's full of silly, rhyming, brief poems about an octopus wearing $50 bellbottoms and a traffic jam on a tightrope.
The poems actually I would rate about 3 stars; they don't reach the level of Dr Seuss/Shel Silverstein in my opinion (though I think kids 4-8 years old wou More...
The poems actually I would rate about 3 stars; they don't reach the level of Dr Seuss/Shel Silverstein in my opinion (though I think kids 4-8 years old wou More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Mary Lou
rated it:
Calef Brown authors and illustrates what he calls, “14 stories,” entitled: Polka-Bats and Octopus Slacks. A zany collection of rhyming, fantastical stories, this read-aloud poetry book is appealing to ages 4 and up. The accompanying colorful sketches add to the whimsy of the “stories.” The reader meets memorable characters like Kansas City Octopus, the Bathtub Driver and Funky Snowman. Beginning readers will easily guess the rhyming words to finish the sentence of each poem which lends itse
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Jan 22, 2012
Josh
rated it:
You will be delighted when one of your munchkins spontaneously exclaims "Kansas City octopus is wearing fancy slacks," months after reading this book. It'll happen.
Jan 29, 2012
Kiersten
rated it:
So awesome. Great illustrations, funny rhymes. This was as entertaining to me as to my 2-year-old
Jan 29, 2012
Rebecca
rated it:
I loved this book the moment I picked it up at a B & N in Bismarck, North Dakota on October 1, 1999. It was my daughter's fourth birthday and we totally fell in love with "Funky Snowman". It was most likely our favorite book until we fell under Harry Potter's spell. I strongly recommend this book - it is so much fun. The rhymes are so catchy and illustration are bright, bold and amusing.
Jan 13, 2008
Magda
rated it: 
Kansas City Octopus
is wearing fancy slacks.
Bell-bottom,
just got 'em,
fifty bucks including tax.
Red corduroy,
and boy-o-boy,
they fit like apple pie.
Multi-pocket snazzy trousers
custom made for octopi.
Fantastic plastic stretch elastic
keeps 'em nice and tight.
Kansas City Octopus
is looking good tonight!
is wearing fancy slacks.
Bell-bottom,
just got 'em,
fifty bucks including tax.
Red corduroy,
and boy-o-boy,
they fit like apple pie.
Multi-pocket snazzy trousers
custom made for octopi.
Fantastic plastic stretch elastic
keeps 'em nice and tight.
Kansas City Octopus
is looking good tonight!
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Tommy
rated it:
A popular bedtime selection. When Danny went through his snowman phase in December, he often said the ones he drew were "Funky" snowmen. Mom's favorite is Octopus Slacks - Kansas City Octopus is looking GOOD tonight!
Jul 25, 2007
Jennifer
rated it:
Hillarious. "Polkabats" is my favorite poem - it mentions jury duty, Stroganoff, and poka-turds all in one poem! I love reading books to the kids that are also entertaining to me. I'm a fan of his illustrations.
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Jan 29, 2012
Josette
rated it:
This is a fabulous book, perfect for toddlers and young kids, but also, I think adults would enjoy the whimsical rhymes and interesting characters (such as the bathtub driver and his one legged duck, Alfonso).
Jan 29, 2012
Corinna
rated it:
If you haven't discovered the wonderful world of Calef Brown, run to your (local independent) bookseller today! The whole family loves reading his silly poems.
Jan 29, 2012
Susan
rated it:
Fourteen humorous poems done in rhyming couplets, free verse and multiple forms. Subjects include colors, animals, travel, seasons, holidays, and games.
Jan 29, 2012
Darci
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This is a hip nursery rhyme book- it was a suggestion from Dooce. Kaden loves it- my favorite part is where the author rhymes bird with turd...classic :)
Jan 29, 2012
Dawn
rated it:
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! My kids and I are huge fans of Calef Brown! We never get tired of reading his silly poetry and totally adore his work!
Jan 29, 2012
Stacie
rated it:
So fun! Several poems that depict stories. They are just fun to read and very creative. Illustrations are amazing and easy to understand!
Jan 29, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
"Kansas City Octopus" would be my first choice if I was talented enough to have my own band. Love this book. Kids think it's fabulous.
Jan 19, 2008
Heard some of his poetry on NPR. Sounded like something Juli would like to share with Maya. Let me know.
Jul 26, 2007
Jenny
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Every child should own a copy of this book.... and so should every "grown-up." Now this is what I call poetry!
Jan 29, 2012
Katherine
rated it:
I highly recommend the recordings of Daniel Pinkwater reading these poems. So fun!
Jan 29, 2012
Charlene
rated it:
Not as good as Flamingos On the Roof but still really cute. I love his artwork.
Jan 29, 2012
Kate
rated it:
Great art, clever verses.... but I think he may still be a little young for it.
Feb 11, 2008
Coffeesally
rated it:
calef rocks, or should i say... he writes beat poetry for wacky kids. great stuff!
