Rating: 
Summary: Can't stop laughing...
Review: I discovered this book on one my regular bookstore trips with my granddaughter, 3, who already loves books and bookstores. While she picked a "Pooh" book, I chose this one. Later in the day, we had to take her to the hospital with a mild asthma attack. "Polkabats and Octopus Slacks" went with us. By the time we were done (she's ok), my wife had read her every story/poem at least a half dozen times. She loves the drawings and the wonderful cadence of the poems, in addition to the silly thoughts. It quickly became part of the bedtime story reading list. "Polkabats" is her favorite poem, followed by "Ed", with the cherries on his head. I love the "Kansas City Octopus" and "Ed." But they're all a hoot, and after my granddaughter has gone to bed, I'll reread them myself, just for fun.
Rating:
Summary: Can't stop laughing...
Review: I discovered this book on one my regular bookstore trips with my granddaughter, 3, who already loves books and bookstores. While she picked a "Pooh" book, I chose this one. Later in the day, we had to take her to the hospital with a mild asthma attack. "Polkabats and Octopus Slacks" went with us. By the time we were done (she's ok), my wife had read her every story/poem at least a half dozen times. She loves the drawings and the wonderful cadence of the poems, in addition to the silly thoughts. It quickly became part of the bedtime story reading list. "Polkabats" is her favorite poem, followed by "Ed", with the cherries on his head. I love the "Kansas City Octopus" and "Ed." But they're all a hoot, and after my granddaughter has gone to bed, I'll reread them myself, just for fun.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Silly Pleasure
Review: I read this book with great delight at a friends house and ordered 5 the next day. One for my son who at the age of 3 understands that silly is a good thing ... and the rest for baby gifts. Any baby raised on PolkaBats and Octopus Slacks is sure to be well-adjusted and have a great sense of humor. It's a real pleasure to the eyes, ears and soul! "Kick it funky snowguys and gals!"
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: 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: Great Poems for Everyone
Review: Polkabats and Octopus Slacks, a new book of poem/stories byCalef Brown will definately be an instant favorite. Kids will love the hip language and funny rhyming schemes, as well as the colorful, very creative illustrations. Where else can you read about the "Funky Snowman" or the "Kansas City Octopus"? A silly, wonderful book the whole family will enjoy sharing.
Rating:
Summary: Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks
Review: Sleeping Fruit-- have you ever heard of anything so crazy as sleeping fruit? Well my four-year-old daughter thought it was absolutely hillarious and would break out in belly laughs everytime we would read Polka Bats and Octopus Slacks. Absolutely zany poetry that young children (and their parents) find very humorous. It is evident that Caleb Brown must have a very active imagination which is very much appreciated by children of a similar brain.
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