DESCRIPTION: WANTED FOR:

AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S AUTHOR
DESCRIPTION:
Friendly, smiling and armed with a guitar and a weird imagination;
described as “off-the-wall, but right on target” by Teacher
Magazine. Last seen in School Library Journal, Newsweek &
Booklist; has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Things
Considered, Morning Edition, Weekend Edition and on a one hour
special on NPR’s Options in Education.
WANTED FOR:
Writing outrageously funny books that incite children to read; also
writes songs heard on CDs that make children howl with delight;
often seen on an award-winning educational television show and in
your neighborhood school and library.
“It is the rare children’s entertainer who
can actually capture the attention of both
kids and their parents. Barry Louis Polisar
does it and you can’t help but laugh.”
— All Things Considered,
National Public Radio
“Polisar, the winner of four Parents’ Choice
Awards for his recordings, has written
songs for Sesame Street and has performed
at the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian
Institution. He performs throughout the
United States and instills in children the
message that you can use the creative
process to write about anything from your
own experience.”
— The Houston Post
Houston, Texas
“It’s obvious that Polisar has a good
rapport with kids. In concert he is a lively
performer and in the informal poetry and
writing workshops he holds in schools, he
is relaxed and open.”
— The Houston Chronicle,
Houston, Texas
“Barry Louis Polisar is a one-man
symphony of comic anarchy. At a time when
vast numbers of our kids see school as
endless drudgery, Polisar says otherwise.
He says, isn’t the English language fun?”
— The Baltimore Sun,
Baltimore, Maryland
www.Barrylou.com
just celebrated my 30th year of writing songs and
books for children and visiting schools and libraries
throughout the United States. I would not have had the
career I have if it were not for librarians like you.
I
If you read the “guest book comments” on my web site,
you will see time and time again how people have written
to tell me what it was like to discover my recordings and
books on the shelves of their local library over the last
thirty years. It has really been the public library system
that has allowed me to reach my audience and I am forever
indebted to the library for making that happen.
To mark my 30th year, I released a new book and a new
CD recording for children. My web site offers sound
samples, full color artwork from my books, selected poems
and reviews in School Library Journal, Booklist and
Publishers Weekly. It is a great resource for people
exploring my work and I hope you consider ordering my
newer titles. Feel free to contact me directly from my
web site.
- BARRY
LOUIS
POLISAR
BOOK
Peculiar Zoo
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
Featured in Ranger Rick Nature Magazine,
these witty and thought-provoking poems
introduce children to some of the oddest
creatures in the animal kingdom, including
many rare and endangered species. Written
entirely in verse, it’s filled with intriguing facts
about an extraordinary array of uncommon
animals, from Dik-Diks to Zebus. Young
readers will discover the Numbat, who has more
teeth than any other land mammal, but swallows
his food whole; the Proboscis Monkey with its
long nose that it must move out of the way in
order to eat; and the Naked Mole Rat, who is
pictured stretched out on a divan, shielding
herself with feathers. This bestiary goes far
beyond “A is for Ant and B is for Bear” and
ventures into a delightful world of truly unusual
animals. The poems in this book were featured
on Barbara Bush’s national radio show on ABC,
Mrs. Bush’s Story Time.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-14-3
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“K-Gr 6—This
author/illustrator team has
created a zany and definitely
peculiar zoo book. Choosing
16 lesser-known animals, such
as the okapi, manatee, and
solenodon, Clark has filled
each large, double-page
horizontal spread with a
humorous watercolor-and-ink
depiction of an animal.
Polisar’s witty poems describe
the unique characteristics of
each creature. The verses are
informative and thoughtprovoking, as well as funny.
Ideal for group, individual and
lap reading, this selection
should spark interest in extinct
and endangered animals and
their habitats. A short
glossary gives concise facts
about each animal.”
—School Library Journal
“A big hit with kids.”
—Observer Dispatch,
Utica, New York
“Polisar does a fine job at
reaching kids.”
—Learning Magazine
“Just the sort of subjects that
strike a responsive chord
in children.”
—Children Today
“Polisar really knows how to
make kids laugh.”
—Parents Express
Magazine
“Polisar fans will be
delighted. His sly rhymes
inform the reader even
as they poke fun at
their subjects.”
—Publishers Weekly
BOOK
Insect Soup: Bug Poems
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated By David Clark
A winner of The Parent’s Guide for
Outstanding Children’s Books Award!
“Soup’s on! With its wacky-looking and much
bigger-than-life-sized bugs, Insect Soup eats,
bites, floats, marches and parties from the first
page to the last,” writes The Timbrook Review.
This long-awaited sequel to Barry’s animal
bestiary is a brand new collection of
wonderfully witty poems about the funniest
bugs on the planet. From the praying mantis to
chiggers, kids will discover that the weird and
wacky bugs are the most fun. Even the dung
beetle, brilliantly illustrated in a tuxedo with
formal serving tray, finally gets the recognition
he deserves. An index of the featured creatures
rounds out the fun with descriptions of each
bug and noted entomological characteristics.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-22-4
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“K-Gr 4-The author and
illustrator give these creatures
bizarre personalities that are
sure to tickle young
entomologists’ funny bones. A
millipede is described as a pet
for which the narrator “made
five hundred pair/of tiny silken
slippers,” while a roach is
depicted as a clever bon vivant
wearing a gas mask to ward off
bug sprays and ignoring the
roach motel set out nearby. The
watercolor illustrations portray
many insects in human
clothing, with plenty of sharp
teeth and huge, buggy eyes. Set
in an extra-large bold font, the
poems range from four lines to
several stanzas and each one of
them goes for the laugh. Deep
colors, especially in the
backgrounds, and sweeping
lines pump up the volume and
help deliver the humor.”
—School Library Journal
“This sequel to Polisar’s poems
about animals provides a book
packed with funny bugs, from
the praying mantis to dung
beetles. Polisar’s poems are
lively and whimsical and David
Clark’s zany illustrations
enhance their fun, providing a
wealth of insect expressions
and fun perspectives on bugs.”
—Midwest Book Review
“If you’re not familiar with
Barry Polisar’s enchanting yet
loony brand of children’s
poetry, try his books. There’s
nothing sugary about Polisar’s
writing. Zany and somewhat
sophisticated, Polisar’s poetry
is a great way to show how
much fun you can have writing
verse. But it’s also an
education about the topic of
his rhymes. He concludes the
book with dictionary
definitions of each insect. The
illustrations are a wonderful
fantasy of hilarious visions. “
—First Coast Parent,
Jacksonville, FL
BOOK
“Gr 1-6 His celebration of the
realities of childhood are
humorously voiced...Polisar
strikes at the heart of every
kid’s funny bone. These odes to
school, siblings, teachers and
parents will certainly appeal to
Polisar fans.”
—-School Library Journal
“Barry Louis Polisar
demonstrates more respect for
children than just about any
other artist, celebrating them
as they are and encouraging
them to laugh at themselves.”
—Booklist,
American Library
Association
A Little Less Noise
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
In the world of Barry Louis Polisar, live
tormented babysitters who won’t come back,
pesky siblings, and children who refuse to do as
they are told, not to mention various monsters,
dinosaurs and a dog that runs off with the
school bus driver. This is a brand new edition of
some of Barry’s best-loved song lyrics as
illustrated poetry complemented by David
Clark’s wonderful full-color drawings.
Barry’s songs have appeared on numerous
award-winning recordings which have received
Canada’s Juno Award for “Best Children’s
Recording” and The American Library
Association’s Award for “Notable Children’s
Albums.” His early recordings are cataloged in
the Songwriters Hall of Fame and his songs
have been published by Sesame Street and The
Weekly Reader. His best song lyrics are
gathered here.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-23-2
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“When Polisar rails about
being forced to eat asparagus
or comb his hair, he’s speaking
for countless children who
don’t have his ability to rebel
through rhyme...his greatest
asset is his ability to think like
a child.”
—Herald American,
Syracuse, New York
“Barry is obviously not a
grown-up. He is, in fact,
proud that he has hung onto
his childhood. He remembers
squabbles with his sister,
having to finish everything on
his plate and wondering why
teachers sometimes don’t like
their students. And because he
remembers, children like him.”
—La Crosse Tribune,
La Crosse, Wisconsin
“Barry Louis Polisar is a
clown, minstrel, first-class
lunatic, and the best kind of
hero: outrageous and
irreverent, all under the
license of being irrepressibly
funny. Kids—big and little—
love him....Well worth selling
all your child psychology
texts for.”
—The Co-Evolution
Quarterly
BOOK
“Gr K-6 This new edition of an
old favorite, now with new
full-page, full color
illustrations, is as irrepressibly
funny as ever. Children will
laugh because they can
recognize themselves and their
thoughts in true-life situations
and adults will smile and
hopefully remember what
it was like to be a child.
And perhaps all readers will
learn not to take themselves
too seriously.”
—School Library Journal
“A true original. If you believe
a little rebelliousness is
good for the soul, by all
means check out
Barry Louis Polisar.”
—Family Fun Magazine
Don’t Do That! A Child’s Guide to
Bad Manners, Ridiculous Rules and
Inadequate Etiquette
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
Miss Manners for kids—as only Barry Louis
Polisar could write it!
The most unorthodox book on manners ever
written. Funny, witty, and fun-loving, this guide
to misbehaving properly is perfect for
introducing kids to manners because the
examples are totally absurd. Topics include:
Rules for Scaring Your Grandparents, How to
Play with Your Food, Family Trips and Riding in
the Car, and much more. Kids get the ideas, and
adults will see right through them to the warmhearted sense underneath. Already a classic! A
witty and hilarious book by the author whom
Tom Lehrer described as “a delightfully
subversive antidote to Mr. Rogers.” “Young
audiences will appreciate his off-beat sense of
humor” says School Library Journal.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-20-8
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“Barry Polisar has the unusual
ability to write about children
as seen from a child’s point of
view. Popular with kids
because they can relate to the
situations.”
—Teacher Magazine
“Polisar still hasn’t forgotten
what it’s like to be a kid.”
—The Press
Atlantic City, New Jersey
\
“Adults will laugh. kids will
howl with glee.”
—Daily Press,
Newport News, Virginia
“A kid’s’ world brought to life.”
—Star Ledger,
Jersey City, New Jersey
“He knows what it’s like to
be a kid.”
—St. Louis Post Dispatch,
St. Louis, Missouri
“Children love him and so do
adults with memories and a
sense of humor...He’s well
worth seeking out.”
—US News and World
Report
BOOK
“An entertaining account with
a humorous ending and
great drawings.”
— The Houston Post,
Houston, Texas
“He sees life through a
child’s eye.”
—Chicago Tribune,
Chicago, Illinois
“We all remember our
childhood. Polisar wants to
make sure we don’t forget it.”
—Rapid City Journal,
Rapid City, South Dakota
“”Barry Polisar is an
irreverent wit.”
—Booklist,
American Library
Association
Snakes and the Boy
Who Was Afraid of Them
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
In a subtle way, Polisar promotes self esteem
through a character who thinks for himself in
this companion book to The Snake Who Was
Afraid of People. Afraid of snakes, Lenny has to
endure a school field trip to the zoo’s snake
house. He encounters taunts from his bullying
classmates and little sympathy from his teacher
and guidance counselor, who are pictured
increasingly snake-like and menacing until the
wickedly funny surprise ending. It’s a book
about fears that says there’s nothing wrong with
having them. In fact, there are some things you
should be afraid of. Polisar’s protagonist is a
child who not only thinks for himself against a
popular belief—but proves himself right. A
delightfully subversive serpent metaphor.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-15-1
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“Barry Louis Polisar hasn’t
forgotten what it’s like to be a
kid. He deals with real kids.”
—Washingtonian Magazine,
Washington, DC
“He’s “write” in tune
with kids.”
—Patriot News,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
“It’s an honest view of a kid’s
world that kids and a lot of
adults find refreshing.”
—-Winchester Star,
Winchester, Virginia
“Barry pokes fun at the
underside of
childhood like a fisherman
dredging up beasties. He
brings hidden things out in the
open and it is as healthy for
kids as it is for adults to see
frustrations in the bathing light
of humor.”
—Laughmakers Magazine
BOOK
“Captures the world of snakes
where humans are seen as the
greatest danger. The moral:
look through the eyes of the
oppressed and a whole
unusual world
appears...magnificent!”
—The Book Reader
“Polisar is a treat.”
—Family Times Magazine
“He’s Father Goose!”
—Daily News Miner,
Fairbanks, Alaska
“Tales that make children’s
eyes light up and their smiles
break into laughter.”
—El Paso Herald Post,
El Paso, Texas
The Snake Who Was
Afraid of People
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
This tale was endorsed by the National Humane
Society and reprinted in the National Wildlife
Federation’s magazine for children, Your Big
Backyard. It reveals the deep-rooted feelings of
a snake who is afraid of people. His fears prove
well-founded when he is captured by a schoolaged child and held captive in a jar with little
air. A humorous scene ensues when the boy is at
school and his mother tries to get rid of the
snake, whacking at it with a broom. The snake
manages an escape and goes into hiding, aided
by a group of beret-wearing reptiles who are
really operating underground. The picture of the
snake disguised as an elderly man waiting for
the bus is delightful: his tail subtly wrapped
around the bus stop sign for support.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-16-X
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“Polisar’s work could be, line
for line, the most entertaining
literature in the
business...thoroughly
outrageous.”
—Sunday Deseret News,
Salt Lake City, Utah
“Polisar is well known to
kids...he’s an original mold,
difficult to duplicate, with
some method to his madness.”
—Annapolis Capital,
Annapolis, Maryland
“He appeals to a wide
audience of children—and
adults who can still think
like children.”
—Gifted & Talented
Magazine
BOOK
The Trouble with Ben
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
A humorous story that illustrates the need to see
children for who they are and a perfect book for
teaching about individuality. Ben gets in trouble
because he is different from everyone else but
the problem is—Ben is a bear. It’s just that no
one notices because they are too busy trying to
get him to be like everyone else. And what does
he get in trouble for? Well, for things that any
bear would do—like falling asleep at his desk
during the cold winter months when he should
be hibernating. Ben tries to conform—but the
results are disastrous until he realizes that he
must be true to himself. And then a funny thing
happens: his classmates start trying to be like
him.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-13-5
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“K-Gr 4. The difficulty of
being different is given
humorous treatment in this
picture book by a respected
children’s writer. The trouble
with Ben (an unacknowledged
bear) is that he irritates his
human classmates, teacher and
principal when he climbs trees
and swats bees. Encouraged to
fit in by his bear parents, Ben
is miserable drinking at water
fountains, playing in shoes,
and paying attention in school.
Sad to be misunderstood, but
happy to finally be himself,
Ben decides to concentrate on
those qualities that make him
special. Polisar’s rhythmically
paced text is complemented by
David Clark’s wildly
exaggerated, energetic
drawings.”
—Booklist,
American Library
Association
“A wonderful way to teach
children tolerance in an
increasingly intolerant world.”
—Lincoln Journal Standard,
Lincoln, Nebraska
“”Polisar can relate to the
problems that many youngsters
face today.”
—Springfield Daily News,
Springfield, Missouri
“Tackles the topic of accepting
diversity and multi-culturalism
in a way that children and
their parents are likely
to appreciate.”
—The Wilson Library
Bulletin
BOOK
“Gr 2-6. Crafted entirely in
verse (eight lines per stanza,
alternating four beat and three
beat lines), this book is good
Halloween fun as a boy and
his friends watch in
amazement as goblins, witches,
ghosts, etc. crash their party.
As the events get increasingly
wild and destructive, the boy
asserts himself and the
creatures restore the house to
normal. The pictures are full of
scary ghosts and creepy
crawlies and careful
examination reveals humorous
details—eyes peeping under a
stair, an expressive doorknob—
a nice addition to poetry
collections. “
—School Library Journal
The Haunted House Party
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrated by David Clark
On Halloween night, a child’s party is visited by
real ghosts and goblins. The problem is—
everyone is in a mask and costume and no one
knows who the real creatures are—until some
of the real ghosts and goblins begin to show off
for each other. Join Barry Louis Polisar’s host
of ghosts, ghouls and goblins as the house
shakes, the candlesticks fly, the TV pirouettes,
and a few ghosts take off their sheets. It’s the
liveliest Halloween party ever—until things get
out of hand in this spell-binding but goodnatured tale told in verse. The host and his
friends learn, in a highly original way, how to
deal with negative, destructive behavior and to
take responsibility for their situation.
$14.95 cl, ISBN # 0-938663-21-6
32 pages, 10 x 9, fully illustrated in color
“Polisar is a clever subversive
who sweeps us up in the
fun...anybody who’s that
incorrigible is going to be
cherished by a lot of kids and
even a few grown-ups.”
—Green Bay Press Gazette,
Green Bay, Wisconsin
“An extraordinary Halloween
book. Very clever. Children will
be delighted.”
—Kokomo Tribune,
Kokomo, Indiana
“Kids of any age love him.”
—Christian Science Monitor
“A bewitchingly funny story.”
—La Crosse Tribune,
La Crosse, Wisconsin
BOOK
“It’s pun-and-games, quickwitted and off-the-wall.”
—The Florida Times Union,
Jacksonville, Florida
“Dinosaurs I Have Known
should amuse anyone.”
—Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem, North
Carolina
“A whimsical book
which almost defies
description..sophisticated,
subtle humor.”
—Grand Rapids Press.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“It’s dinosaurs’ best time in
70 million years.”
—The New York Times,
New York, New York
Dinosaurs I Have Known
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrations by Michael G. Stewart
What do dinosaurs want to be when they
grow up?
Some wonderfully witty and outrageous
dinosaurs are included and no
paleontologist worth his pickax will want
to miss out on the fun. From the
Rockadopolis Rex (“The King”, pictured in
an Elvis Presley stance and holding a rocka-billy guitar) and the Brontesaurus Sisters
(Emily, Charlotte and Anne) to the
Orthodontosaurus (a very rich reptilian
known for its perfect bite and large bill), all
are described and illustrated in Barry’s first
book.
$7.95 paper, ISBN # 0-938663-05-4
7 x 9, fully illustrated
“Barry Louis Polisar is very
good at what he does: firing up
kids imaginations, letting them
know it’s okay to write about
everyday life and the stuff that
exists only in their
imaginations.
—The Citizens Voice
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
BOOK
“I love Barry Louis Polisar. He is
a genius at what he does.
My hero.”
—Gene Weingarten,
The Washington Post
“Your work is exceptional.”
—Parents Choice Foundation
“He’s the Pied Piper.”
—The Boston Globe,
Boston, Massachusetts
“Polisar's songs and books deal
in a gentle and humorous way
with issues of importance to the
lives of young children.”
—Children's Book Committee,
Penn American Writers Center
“Your work is wonderful...
we laughed so hard,
we spit our food.”
—Judy Blume, Author
Noises From Under the Rug:
The Barry Louis Polisar Songbook
Barry Louis Polisar
Illustrations by Michael G. Stewart
Barry Louis Polisar established a national
reputation for his original and satirical songs
about real kids and their concerns. From “I
Don't Wanna Go To School” to the classic
“Don't Put Your Finger up Your Nose”, here
are Barry's best-known songs printed in clear,
bold type with accompanying sheet music and
chords. Also included in this 30th anniversary
edition are original line drawings by Michael
G. Stewart taken from the original book.
Newsweek Magazine reported on its original
publication: “These could be the glory days
of children's music.” The Co-Evolution
Quarterly declared, “He's well worth selling
all your child psychology books for.”
$7.95 paper, ISBN # 0-938663-24-0
7 x 9, fully illustrated with sheet music
“Children love his songs.”
—Savannah Morning News,
Savannah, Georgia
“He draws children into
his world.”
—The Chronicle,
Olympia, Washington
“This author and musician
delights in the absurd...and the
lesson is not lost on kids.”
—The Herald News,
Passaic, New Jersey
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
“K-Gr 6 – Barry Louis Polisar's
children's recordings have become
a standard: well-loved by a couple
of generations of youngsters since
he began recording in the 1970's.
Many of Polisar's songs were not
to his own liking, and inspired by
his own lectures to school children
about the writing process, he rewrote the songs and recorded
them on this album. Kids will
definitely giggle when listening
and parents who listened to
Polisar as children are likely to
want to share the laughter with
their own youngsters. Polisar's 30year-old recycling is a brave idea
that works!”
—School Library Journal
Old Enough To
Know Better:
The Worst of Barry Louis Polisar
Most people do a “Greatest Hits” album
after twenty or thirty years. As Barry
approached the 30th year of his career, he
thought he'd try something different. “I talk
a lot about the writing process in my school
visits so I thought I'd challenge myself to
take all my worst songs and see if I could
re-write them.” And so he did. In fact,
after recording an entire CD of twenty
songs, he decided to dig up more songs and
see if he could turn them into something.
Hence, a bonus CD is included in this
collection with an additional twenty songs.
So here they are: Barry Louis Polisar's
worst songs...but with a brand new twist!
“Filled with comic rebellion and
mixed with an innate
understanding of childhood, this
album is sure to please today's
children.”
—Georgia Family Magazine
“Barry Louis Polisar is still
outstanding… with a sense of
comic anarchy that appeals to
anyone's sense of fun. It is no insult
to say that Barry Louis Polisar has
the mind of a child...goofy songs
that resonate with real kids.”
—Kathy O'Connell, host of
WXPN Radio's Kids Corner,
Philadelphia, PA
“Must-have children's recordings;
timeless music that will delight all
ages again and again. Polisar
appeals directly to kids -- and to
adults who realize that a little
attitude is healthy. He lets kids
know there's at least one grownup who understands what they
think about.”
—Detroit Free Press,
Detroit, Michigan
“Kids and adults will giggle.”
—The Journal Star,
Lincoln, Nebraska
“Keeps kids in stitches.”
—The Miami Herald,
Miami, Florida
$14.95 2-CDs, ISBN # 0-938663-42-9
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
A Little Different
Barry Louis Polisar
A Parents’ Choice Award-Winning
Recording & A Children’s Music Award
Winner!
Barry Louis Polisar’s songs for children
have always been a little different from
most. His lyrics are wry, sly and witty and
on this album he is joined by Ray Tilkens
who plays a variety of instruments that give
this recording the most textured and
produced sound of any of Barry’s recordings
yet. Seventeen songs are featured but listen
carefully; the album is a pun and fun-filled
adventure. The Homemade Band song
features Barry playing each instrument—
except the instruments are common
everyday kitchen utensils. And let’s not
forget about the cover art—creatively
designed by Barry’s eleven year old
daughter!
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-43-7
“PreS-Gr 5—Barry Louis Polisar
marches to a decidedly different
drummer, and will have kids
marching right along with him.
The songs on this recording are
funny, irreverent, and simply
delightful. For those who are
already fans, this is a must. For
newcomers to Polisar’s music, this
is a fine introduction. Parents and
teachers beware—children will be
singing these waggish tunes, and
asking for them again and again.
Opening with the bluesy, “I’m a
Slug,” in which slugs munch up
the garden, you know you are in
for a goofy ride. Kids will break
out the pots and pans after
hearing Polisar’s “Homemade
Band,” which includes spoons,
pipes, and flushing toilets among
other instruments. Playing with
his voice and with an assortment
of traditional—and not so
traditional instruments, this
recording is tunefully more
sophisticated than some of his
earlier works.”
—School Library Journal
“Sly lyrics performed with the
force of a shooting rubber band.
The electric, eccentric Polisar
bangs out this edgy classic on
everything but the kitchen sink,
and provides a delightfully
warped, wickedly funny outlook
on slugs, potty training, perfect
children, and asparagus.”
—Parenting Magazine
“With a considerable artistry as a
satirist and humorist with plenty of
adult appeal, Polisar’s witty,
irreverent tunes tromp around with
impunity where few kids’ artists
dare to venture .”
—Family Fun Magazine
“Witty, intelligent tunes; the best
record you’ve sung along to since
2nd grade.”
—The Des Moines Register
Gannett News Wire
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Barry Louis Polisar Sings about
Animals and Other Creatures
A Parents’ Choice Award winning recording!
This recording features Barry’s best songs
about animals, grouped together for the first
time. Look for silly dinosaurs, bored dogs
and a Skatter Brak Flath that lives in the
bathtub. Other favorites include, “One Day
My Best Friend Barbara Turned Into a
Frog,” and “I’ve Got a Dog and My Dog’s
Name is Cat” (one of Barry’s early hits,
recorded by Big Bird!). Barry is joined by a
number of talented studio musicians on
guitar, fiddle, mandolin, percussion and
clarinet, further enhancing the sound and
flavor of this recording.
“PreS-Gr 4—Barry Louis Polisar
was an early pioneer of children’s
music when his wacky and
wonderfully innovative songs
began eliciting giggles two decades
ago. Thirteen prime picks enhance
simply sung spoofs and silly antics
with rich accompaniments and
subtle and tasteful embellishments
(bells, penny-whistles, fiddles,
reverb and overdubbing, etc).
Included are “Our Dog Bernard”;
“I Wanna Be A Dog”; “I’m A
Three-Toed, Triple-Eyed, DoubleJointed Dinosaur’; “What If A
Zebra Had Spots”; and many
more. This is a must have for all
libraries serving young children.
Hold on to his earlier recordings—
they will be useful for a “music
appreciation” lesson in comparing
styles influenced by time
and culture.”
—School Library Journal
“Your music is a true joy! As an
elementary music teacher, I’ve
appreciated the humor you use in
your approach. As my students
sing along, I see them nodding
in agreement to what you
sing about.”
—Pam O’Neal, Music Teacher
Sterling, Colorado
“His songs are about the experiences
and interests of children.”
—The Weekly Reader
“Recordings kids will love.”
—Good Housekeeping
“Barry Louis Polisar writes and
sings songs kids really can
identify with.”
—Sacramento Bee,
Sacramento, California
“His music is as contagious as
the common cold in a
kindergarten. The only way you
won’t enjoy these songs is if you
somehow managed to skip
childhood yourself. “
—-Deseret News Magazine,
Salt Lake City, Utah
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-49-6
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
Teacher’s Favorites
Barry Louis Polisar Sings about
School and Other Stuff
Barry’s best known songs about school are
grouped together in an updated and polished
recording that will be a favorite for the
school-aged child—and teacher! Barry sings
about school, teachers and about a boy who
doesn’t want to get out of bed in the
morning (he turns out to be the Principal). A
deep-voiced chorus sings about underwear
in a calypso beat and a group of off-key kids
consistently respond “nothing” when
repeatedly asked, “What did you do in
school today?” This delightful recording
also includes Barry’s 1975 classic song,
“I’ve Got a Teacher and She’s So Mean,” a
child’s heartfelt complaint with a real
surprise ending! A funny and meaningful
collection.
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-48-8
“K-Gr 6—Instead of an apple,
give your favorite teacher Barry
Louis Polisar’s hit package,
Teacher’s Favorites. The
production quality is outstanding.
The guest musicians use guitars,
mandolins, fiddles, dulcimers,
slide guitar, clarinet and
percussion to give the sound a
richness not found in most
children’s recordings. Polisar’s
vocals are very playful. He lays
down some delightful back-up
vocals with his six year old twins
and also uses some inventive
multi-track vocals of himself on “I
Lost My Pants,” a song about the
dilemma of getting ready for
school. Other highlights include,
“I Don’t Wanna Go to School,”
with a surprise ending that will be
a hit with all school principals;
“The Alfabet Song,” which
includes words not found in most
ABC books; and “Don’t Eat The
Food That is Sitting on Your
Plate,” a song sure to be a hit in
the school cafeteria. A must buy—
even if you already own previous
Polisar recordings.”
—School Library Journal
“My students have been talking
about little else besides your TV
show and Barry Louis Polisar.
We’ve had to make library cards
for the cassette tapes I bought
because the students wanted to
check them out and share them
with their parents. We’ve had
several great discussions and
writing activities based on
the topics in your songs; you
have generated a lot of
creative thinking.”
—Nancy Kaufhold, Teacher
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
“Kids thoroughly enjoy listening
and singing along with Barry
Louis Polisar. He talks to kids in a
way that is direct but never
condescending—reaching them
in their funny bone.”
—Growing Up With Music:
A Guide to the Best Recorded
Music for Children
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
“K-Gr 6—Polisar’s brand of
humor is unique in children’s
recordings. This is a good
addition for collections wanting
to expand their Polisar repertoire
or for those purchasing their first
recording by the artist. Polisar
explores being compared to the
perfect child who lives next door
(“He Eats Asparagus, Why Can’t
You Be That Way?), playing
parents against each other
(“Mom Said No, I Said Why”),
and having responsibility for a
young sibling (“Go and Hush the
Baby”). The lyrics almost always
speak to the reality of children’s
lives. The production is
high quality. “
—School Library Journal
Family Trip
Barry Louis Polisar
Sings about Families
Another Children’s Music Award Winner!
This is a unique collection of Barry’s best
songs about families—and what a trip they
are! The songs range from the giggleproducing “Early Sunday Morning”—a song
about two siblings who wake each other up
and end up in a hilarious and ridiculous
food fight—to the sensitive “I Miss
Grandma.” Barry explores a host of musical
styles on this recording that include
Memphis slide, blues and folk influences.
An array of musicians on fiddle, bass,
clarinet and percussion give this recording a
polished sound.
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-47-X
“I listened to your tape last night
and I played it for my son and his
two friends this morning. They
sang it all the way to school and I
used it for two creative writing
groups in his class.... kids were
sneaking back at lunchtime
to hear it.”
—Laurie Gibb,
Children’s Book Store
Denver, Colorado
“Polisar writes and performs
children’s songs with a humorous
yet lifelike twist.”
—Sunday Oklahoman,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“His songs are humorous
anthems that will have
non-conformist children
clamoring for more.”
—Chicago Tribune,
Chicago, Illinois
“Barry Louis Polisar is an
American treasure. He has altered
forever the way children and
adults communicate through
music. He’s irresistible to kids
who have long needed a
determined and articulate
spokesperson to remind the world
of childhood’s realities.”
—All Ears: A Guide to
Recorded Music for Children
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
“K-Gr 6—Barry Louis Polisar’s
older songs are given newer
arrangements and added
instrumentation bring a newfound richness to songs that
Polisar is known for. Polisar has
the right idea by making good
songs even better.”
—School Library Journal
“Polisar is clearly not most
contemporary children’s
entertainers and “Naughty
Songs” is quintessential Polisar.
His songs always reflect the kid’s
view and he takes glee in
overdubbing himself into a chorus
and seeing how funny his voice
can be. A child let loose in the
studio would do the same. That’s
part of Polisar’s charm.”
—Entertainment Weekly
Naughty Songs for
Boys & Girls
Barry Louis Polisar
Barry Louis Polisar is a born storyteller—
but his stories are told through songs. He
has done what few children’s artists have
been able to do: combine music, poetry and
a keen sense of humor that can relate to a
child’s experience. Originally released in
1978 and still selling strong, this classic
recording includes such favorites as “I
Can’t, I Can’t” and “Don’t Put Your Finger
Up Your Nose” (we still think that’s good
advice!). A landmark recording filled with
genuine infectious humor and kid-friendly
philosophy, other songs include “Mom and
Dad Are Always Right,” “Do This, Do
That,” and “Leroy is a Late Bloomer.”
“Polisar’s songs examine
children’s hidden thoughts and
feelings, tackling subjects in an
honest and humorous way.”
—Richmond Times Dispatch
Richmond, Virginia
“Better than Beverly Sills!”
—Paula Schlaffman, age 9
He playfully explores the
childhood experience.”
—American Teacher Magazine
“Listen to your kids. They’ll
explain the jokes to you.”
—Virginia Pilot
Virginia Beach, Virginia”
“Off-the-wall, but right
on target.”
—Teacher Magazine
“The lyrics matter in the songs of
Barry Polisar.”
—Learning Magazine
“Barry Louis Polisar is a pioneer
in contemporary children’s
music.”
—Providence Journal
Providence, Rhode Island
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-45-3
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
“K-Gr 6 Delightful in its
unorthodox approach, it includes
several gems such as “Symphony
in Why # Major” and “Don’t
Wake Up the Baby or the Baby
Will Get You.” The album is a
listening delight.”
—School Library Journal
“Hardly the everyday nursery
rhyme P ablum or “nambypamby” ditties for kids.”
—Dayton Daily News,
Dayton, Ohio
“His music is spreading like a
kiddie rebellion all across the
country...It’s no wonder—Polisar
is too good to be kept secret.”
—The Baltimore Sun,
Baltimore, Maryland
Juggling Babies
Barry Louis Polisar
There are seventeen songs in this fresh
collection and they are among the most
polished in Polisar’s work; comic, serious,
outrageously witty and heart-warming. This
is the first recording Barry made after
becoming a father and as The Washington
Post declares, “You get the distinct feeling
not only that Polisar knows whereof he
speaks, but that becoming a recent father of
twins has only sharpened his wits.” Polisar
chronicles the horrors of diaper rash, kids
with colds, and inexhaustibly curious
youngsters. Perfect for new parents and
children with younger siblings, songs
include, “They’ll Never Have a Baby As
Nice As Me,” and “Symphony in Why
Sharp Major”—a musical extravaganza of
“no’s” and “why’s” that reach a humorous
crescendo.
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-46-1
“Polisar’s kid charisma comes
through loud and clear.”
—Detroit Free Press,
Detroit, Michigan
“Barry Louis Polisar writes about
kids. Real kids....His songs
are delightful.”
—-Phoenix Gazette ,
Phoenix, Arizona
“Polisar is unique in the world of
children’s recordings and
guaranteed to knock the socks
off your kids.”
—Detroit News,
Detroit, Michigan
“A flat-out classic”
—The Washington Post,
Washington, DC
AWARD-WINNING AUDIO
“K-Gr 6 Barry Louis Polisar’s
ability to capture childlike humor,
fear, excitement and wonder has
always been obvious from his song
titles and lyrics. His interaction
with the audience gives an even
better understanding of the man
behind such songs as “My Brother
Thinks He’s a Banana.” In
introducing many of his songs,
Polisar lets the audience know
some of the history behind them.
Polisar sings about the world of a
child, the adults they have to deal
with, and the cliches they have to
listen to. In all his songs, children
& adults get a chance to laugh at
how ridiculous we all can be.”
—-School Library Journal
“A Parent’s Pick!”
—Parents Magazine
Family Concert
Barry Louis Polisar
When Barry Louis Polisar performs, he
speaks to the kid in young and old alike.
Youngsters giggle and shriek and adults are
transported back to their own childhood. His
word pictures are of children too smart to
conform to arbitrary standards. This audio
recording features seventeen of Barry’s
songs recorded at a live family show. Many
of Barry’s popular older selections are
included in this 45-minute recording.
Though the sound is not as full as Barry’s
other recordings, this “Live” recording
makes for a good “sampler” of Barry’s
earlier work.
“Polisar’s unique blend of giggleproducing children’s songs offers a
refreshing alternative to the more
directive, even didactic variety of
much children’s music. Family
Concert is a worthy introduction to
Polisar’s music as well as a welcome
recap of his choice songs.”
—Booklist, American Library
Association
“Barry‘s lyrics hit home. When
word got out that Polisar would be
in Andover, the tickets went quickly.
The heavy sales prompted planners
to add a second concert.”
—Eagle Tribune,
Andover, Massachusetts
“Polisar changes his voice to fit the
character he is portraying. He leads
the children in rousing choruses of
songs about dogs, monsters and
children who get in trouble.”
—The Chicago Tribune,
Chicago, Illinois
“Some of his lyrics are zany and
some are plaintive, echoing a
kid’s feeling that the world is
closing in on him....the key to
Polisar’s rapport with kids is that
he treats them as equals.”
—The Ledger Star,
Norfolk, Virginia
$14.95 CD, ISBN # 0-938663-44-5
ORDER FORM
Individuals, Schools and Libraries can order all items directly from The
Barry Louis Polisar Catalog—or through any of our many distributors and
library suppliers. When ordering direct, allow seven days for delivery.
Send Purchase Order or Order Blank to:
The Barry Louis Polisar Catalog
3605 Dustin Road
Burtonsville, MD 20866
phone: (301) 384-9207
email: [email protected]
web: www.Barrylou.com
Books & music are also available from Independent Publishers Group at
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (Call Toll Free at
1-800-888-4741) or order from the web on Amazon.com, Borders.com,
Barnesandnoble.com, Barrylou.com - or from your local bookstore or
library supplier (BWI, Brodart, Ingram, Baker & Taylor).
Quantity
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Book Title
Peculiar Zoo - ISBN # 0-938663-14-3
Insect Soup - ISBN # 0-938663-22-4
A Little Less Noise - ISBN # 0-938663-23-2
Don’t Do That - ISBN # 0-938663-20-8
Snakes and The Boy - ISBN # 0-938663-15-1
The Snake Who Was Afraid - ISBN # 0-938663-16-X
The Trouble With Ben - ISBN # 0-938663-13-5
The Haunted House Party - ISBN # 0-938663-21-6
Dinosaurs I Have Known - ISBN # 0-938663-05-4
Noises from Under the Rug - ISBN # 0-938663-24-0
CD Title
Old Enough To Know Better - ISBN # 0-938663-42-9
A Little Different - ISBN # 0-938663-43-7
Old Dogs, New Tricks - ISBN # 0-938663-49-6
Teacher’s Favorites - ISBN # 0-938663-48-8
Family Trip - ISBN # 0-938663-47-X
Naughty Songs for Boys & Girls - ISBN # 0-938663-45-3
Juggling Babies - ISBN # 0-938663-46-1
Family Concert - ISBN # 0-938663-44-5
SHIP TO:
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$ 7.95
$ 7.95
Price
$14.95
$14.95
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$14.95
$14.95
$14.95
$14.95
$14.95
TOTAL: ______________________
PURCHASE ORDER #: ____________
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SPECIAL SCHOOL AND
LIBRARY OFFER:
Full Set of Barry’s Books and
CDs for only $199.99.
Return any item you do not want
for credit after previewing
AUTHOR VISITS
Barry Louis Polisar has been writing books and songs for
children since 1975. He has performed at The White House,
The Smithsonian, The Kennedy Center and in schools and
libraries from Alaska to Florida.
He has written songs for Sesame Street and The Weekly
Reader, starred in an Emmy Award-winning television show for
children, and has been featured regularly on The Learning
Channel. He is a four-time Parents’ Choice Award winner and
won a Special Library Recognition Award for his "ability to
communicate with and excite children to read.” He is available
for school and library author visits, workshops, concerts,
conferences and family programs. Please visit Barry’s web site
for additional information or email him directly.
Barry Louis Polisar....for those who want children's books and
songs that are witty, intelligent and a little different.
www.Barrylou.com
THE BARRY
LOUIS POLISAR CATALOG
email: [email protected]
web: www.Barrylou.com
3605 Dustin Road
Burtonsville, MD 20866
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