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Who's On First
Who's on First?" is descended from turn-of-the-century burlesque sketches that used plays on words and names. Examples are "The Baker Scene" (the shop is located on Watt Street) and "Who Dyed" (the owner is named Who). In the 1930 movie Cracked Nuts, comedians Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey examine a map of a mythical kingdom with dialogue like this: "What is next to Which." "What is the name of the town next to Which?" "Yes." In English variety halls (Britain's equivalent of vaudeville theatres), comedian Will Hay performed a routine in the early 1930s (and possibly earlier) as a schoolmaster interviewing a schoolboy named Howe who came from Ware but now lives in Wye. By the early 1930s, a "Baseball Routine" had become a standard bit for burlesque comics across the United States. Abbott's wife recalled Bud performing the routine with another comedian before teaming with Costello.
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First published January 25, 2011
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683 people want to read
About the author
Bud Abbott
434 books6 followersWilliam Alexander "Bud" Abbott was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known as the straight man half of the comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
February 20, 2016
OK BASEBALL FANS...... since it's almost time for spring training games to begin. I thought I'd have a little fun by reading the baseball comedy WHO'S ON FIRST...... for the first time.
I found it interesting to learn that Abbott and Costello first performed the skit in the 1930's and that a short version of their performance can be seen in the 1940 film "One Night in the Tropics" with a longer version in the 1945 film "The Naughty Nineties;" and never having visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, I was unaware A & B are among the non-athletes represented in the museum there with a gold record of WHO'S ON FIRST on display, and a continuously playing video of same for visitors to enjoy.
Oh, I always remember WHO'S on first and WHAT'S on second, but not that I DON'T KNOW was on third or that WHY'S in left and BECAUSE is in center or that TOMORROW is pitching and HOOT'S at short. Whew!
One of the most famous comedy skits of all time WHO'S ON FIRST is a great little classic for children and adults alike. Loved it!
May 31, 2024
What do I need to say? Fantastic! I have seen so many versions of this...it really is amazing how this skit has turned into something bigger than I think anyone ever expected. I always like to see someone react to this for the first time - that makes you laugh all over again! A friend of mine who came from another country told me they use this to help teach English - who would have thought!
March 11, 2016
This is a short kids picture book with a bear as the manager and rabbit as the perspective player that follows Abbott and Costello's comedy sketch Who's on First. I read it to my kids as they ate breakfast this morning and we all enjoyed. Then I showed the actual comedy routine and they were laughing hysterically. Yet another book to help me prepare for baseball season.
January 1, 2013
*This book was given to me as an ARC. *
I wanted this book for my daughter, who is too young to understand it (she's 1), but I have always loved this skit by Abbott and Costello, thanks to my Dad. So, we all know the skit, which is hilarious. However, the artwork of the book is wonderful. The characters are cute and are drawn I think to resemble (via bear and rabbit) Abbott and Costello. It was well done and I think added to the skit. My husband and I took turns reading it and couldn't stop laughing at the end where the rabbit is trying to understand the names of all the players in one long sentence. It was almost a tongue-twister. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to understand it. I think she will love it!
I wanted this book for my daughter, who is too young to understand it (she's 1), but I have always loved this skit by Abbott and Costello, thanks to my Dad. So, we all know the skit, which is hilarious. However, the artwork of the book is wonderful. The characters are cute and are drawn I think to resemble (via bear and rabbit) Abbott and Costello. It was well done and I think added to the skit. My husband and I took turns reading it and couldn't stop laughing at the end where the rabbit is trying to understand the names of all the players in one long sentence. It was almost a tongue-twister. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to understand it. I think she will love it!
August 3, 2014
Author: Bud Abbott & Lou Costello
Illustrator: John Martz
First Published: 2013
Includes: Short history of "Who's on First?".
Picked this up from the library and the 8yo hasn't stopped quoting it to Dad and giggling madly. Last thing at night, first thing in the morning, "Say 'Who's on first?', Dad!".
I think I'm going mad.
I'm an Aussie. We don't do baseball. Sure, we understand the concept (it's a sport after all) and most Aussie's have played a cut-down version in school PE lessons. We know the names of people like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth via culture leak. And I really enjoyed Field of Dreams.
But baseball isn't A Thing.
And yet, when I mentioned this book on my fb page, my feed exploded. Quoting the skit, linking to youtube, requesting book info. One friend said, "My first experience of that sketch was in an extremely nerdy circumstance... It was printed as a full-page sidebar in a book on Pascal I was reading at age about 10, making a point about reserved words."
"Who's on First?" is an amazing clever piece of humour that surpasses culture and time. It isn't racist, sexist, rude or mean-spirited. It's intelligent. It plays on words and miscommunication.
It's the Ultimate Dad Joke.
Absolutely brilliant introduction to a classic skit which makes my concrete-thinking daughter think about words and their meaning, challenging her to look at language and conversation differently.
Age (taking into account comprehension, concentration, language):
Read aloud - 4+
Read yourself - 7+
References:
Who's on First? on w'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who'...
Who's on First? on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRR...
John Martz's webpage: http://johnmartz.com/work/whos-on-first
(ISBN 978-1-59474-590-4)
-CR-
Illustrator: John Martz
First Published: 2013
Includes: Short history of "Who's on First?".
Picked this up from the library and the 8yo hasn't stopped quoting it to Dad and giggling madly. Last thing at night, first thing in the morning, "Say 'Who's on first?', Dad!".
I think I'm going mad.
I'm an Aussie. We don't do baseball. Sure, we understand the concept (it's a sport after all) and most Aussie's have played a cut-down version in school PE lessons. We know the names of people like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth via culture leak. And I really enjoyed Field of Dreams.
But baseball isn't A Thing.
And yet, when I mentioned this book on my fb page, my feed exploded. Quoting the skit, linking to youtube, requesting book info. One friend said, "My first experience of that sketch was in an extremely nerdy circumstance... It was printed as a full-page sidebar in a book on Pascal I was reading at age about 10, making a point about reserved words."
"Who's on First?" is an amazing clever piece of humour that surpasses culture and time. It isn't racist, sexist, rude or mean-spirited. It's intelligent. It plays on words and miscommunication.
It's the Ultimate Dad Joke.
Absolutely brilliant introduction to a classic skit which makes my concrete-thinking daughter think about words and their meaning, challenging her to look at language and conversation differently.
Age (taking into account comprehension, concentration, language):
Read aloud - 4+
Read yourself - 7+
References:
Who's on First? on w'pedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who'...
Who's on First? on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRR...
John Martz's webpage: http://johnmartz.com/work/whos-on-first
(ISBN 978-1-59474-590-4)
-CR-
April 13, 2015
(Note: Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program)
I remember first seeing the classic Abbott & Costello skit "Who's On First?" when I made a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in my youth. So when I saw this children's book version of the skit I knew I had to get my hands on it. I personally enjoyed reading it and laughing along as Costello, drawn as a small bunny, and Abbott, drawn as a tall bear, went through this skit. And it was still funny to me after all these years. But it didn't seem like this was enough for a review. So, I read it to a group of Kindergarten and First grade students to get their reactions. They also enjoyed it a lot, even those who were not big fans of baseball. The illustrations help to draw kids into the joke and get them laughing when Costello can't figure out what's going on. In fact, the illustrations are the strongest part about this story. While they aren't Picasso's in kids form, they are exceptionally well drawn, colorful, and informative without being too over-the-top, which could have taken away from the story's comedic affect rather than enhanced it. I definitely would recommend this book to parents who want to read a fun, quick book with their kids that will bring a smile to their faces.
I remember first seeing the classic Abbott & Costello skit "Who's On First?" when I made a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in my youth. So when I saw this children's book version of the skit I knew I had to get my hands on it. I personally enjoyed reading it and laughing along as Costello, drawn as a small bunny, and Abbott, drawn as a tall bear, went through this skit. And it was still funny to me after all these years. But it didn't seem like this was enough for a review. So, I read it to a group of Kindergarten and First grade students to get their reactions. They also enjoyed it a lot, even those who were not big fans of baseball. The illustrations help to draw kids into the joke and get them laughing when Costello can't figure out what's going on. In fact, the illustrations are the strongest part about this story. While they aren't Picasso's in kids form, they are exceptionally well drawn, colorful, and informative without being too over-the-top, which could have taken away from the story's comedic affect rather than enhanced it. I definitely would recommend this book to parents who want to read a fun, quick book with their kids that will bring a smile to their faces.
February 18, 2013
Who’s on First? You’ve heard this comedy skit. Maybe not right from William “Bud” Abbot and Lou Costello, but you’ve heard it somehow or somewhere. It wasn’t named best comedy skit of the 20th century for nothing. My favorite version of it as a child was when it was acted out by 2 cartoon mice. Now, the skit is reenacted by a cartoon bunny, bear, and other animals on a baseball team in Who’s on First.
The illustrations are the perfect compliment to the skit. The are cute, but minimal so they don’t distract from the confusion of figuring out which players cover which positions. Even though Abbott, the poor rabbit trying to decipher the names of this teammates, ha no clue what’s going on, every player is labeled clearly. When the skits gets very confusion, zipping lines make little mazes for children to trace and understand which animal plays what.
While Who’s on First? is a children’s picture book, it was a fabulous trip down memory lane for me. Anyone who is a baseball or Abbot and Costello fan will enjoy the book.
The illustrations are the perfect compliment to the skit. The are cute, but minimal so they don’t distract from the confusion of figuring out which players cover which positions. Even though Abbott, the poor rabbit trying to decipher the names of this teammates, ha no clue what’s going on, every player is labeled clearly. When the skits gets very confusion, zipping lines make little mazes for children to trace and understand which animal plays what.
While Who’s on First? is a children’s picture book, it was a fabulous trip down memory lane for me. Anyone who is a baseball or Abbot and Costello fan will enjoy the book.
April 8, 2013
This is the classical “Who’s on First?” exchange that is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Only it is in a picture book form. And it has fun animals as baseball players. Each baseball player is a different animal. This is perfect for the younger crowd who will surely not mistake a snake or a dog or a chicken for the wrong crazy-named baseball player. And, they will love that I Don’t Give a Hoot (the shortstop) is an owl.
I didn’t know if this book would really work for kids to understand or even think funny. But then I watched my 8-year-old nephew read it. He kept laughing and telling us the punch lines. When the book was over he said, “I don’t know! Third Base!” Needless to say, he got the jokes.
I didn’t know if this book would really work for kids to understand or even think funny. But then I watched my 8-year-old nephew read it. He kept laughing and telling us the punch lines. When the book was over he said, “I don’t know! Third Base!” Needless to say, he got the jokes.
December 28, 2012
I just received this book in the mail from winning it on a Goodreads drawing. When I saw it,I had to sit down and read it immediately. I have always loved this routine by Abbott and Costello. The book is illustrated by John Martz. the routine is as funny as ever and the illustrations are perfect for the book. I love this book. But, alas, I am in my 60's and I wish to pass this little piece of Heaven on to the next generation, so I am going to have my wife pry it out of my hands and send it to my daughter so that she can read it to my grandchildren. A new generation to appreciate and laugh at the greatest comedy routine of all time.
June 11, 2013
"Who's on First" is perhaps one of the best comedic sketches ever written, even after almost seventy years after it was performed. I give kudos to the publishing team in trying to keep this going. However, I have some doubts of its success as a children's book. I greatly enjoyed it because I'm familiar with the sketch and baseball. I'm not sure the average kid will appreciate it as much as I do. Also, the reason why "Who's on First" works so well is because of timing, which can't translate as well in a book. The illustrations are great, though. I really did like it, but I'm not sure kids will.
April 21, 2015
Hysterical kids version of the classic Abbott and Costello 'Who's On First' scene. A great way to connect grandparents or the generation who would know this skit well with the little people in their lives. Many giggles and hoots were shared.
We also used this classic to learn how baseball works and how to spell the team of who, what, where, why, how and when.
Lastly, we also covered the importance of communication, how to and how not to, what's effective in terms of listening and understanding the other before continuing explaining a matter.
Excellent resource, fun fun read.
Well (re)done and without the violence.
We also used this classic to learn how baseball works and how to spell the team of who, what, where, why, how and when.
Lastly, we also covered the importance of communication, how to and how not to, what's effective in terms of listening and understanding the other before continuing explaining a matter.
Excellent resource, fun fun read.
Well (re)done and without the violence.
June 16, 2013
Oh my goodness I was laughing out loud!
As a baseball player and fan and coming from a whole family of similar baseball kids,
I was already familiar with the bit.
And I wondered how it would as a picture book,
since it's basically just a conversation.
but the pictures are really awesome!
And they'll help kids understand the weird names of the players,
and, then, the humor!
Loved this one.
As a baseball player and fan and coming from a whole family of similar baseball kids,
I was already familiar with the bit.
And I wondered how it would as a picture book,
since it's basically just a conversation.
but the pictures are really awesome!
And they'll help kids understand the weird names of the players,
and, then, the humor!
Loved this one.
October 7, 2016
Jose, age 10: I thought the book was funny because Abbott kept talking about second base when Costello was talking about first. And the names were funny because one of them was named "Who" and the other was named "Tomorrow" and other one was named "What" and one was named "I Don't Know" and the last one was named "Because." And there was one more named "Why." And we also watched the video of the real Abbott and Costello.
October 1, 2015
Read this in the junior high school library while waiting to talk to teachers at parent/teacher conference. I LOVED it!! I've always enjoyed the old Abbott and Costello baseball skit and this is word for word the skit illustrated for little kids. Darling pictures, and it kept my teenager and I entertained and laughing.
December 8, 2012
I love this routine and had it memorized when I was a kid. This is the most wonderful tribute to the bit I have ever seen. This is for the whole family, the baseball lover, the Abbot and Costello fan, for everyone.
December 29, 2012
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This children's book is so cute! My son enjoyed listening to me read this book and enjoyed this pictures. I definitely recommend this for all children especially those with a love for baseball.
This children's book is so cute! My son enjoyed listening to me read this book and enjoyed this pictures. I definitely recommend this for all children especially those with a love for baseball.
December 28, 2012
I won this book in the first reads give-away and was so excited when it arrived today. A timeless skit mixed with cute illustrations. I found myself laughing out loud even though I've read this skit numerous times. I now have a new coffee table book!
March 26, 2013
Very well done. Fun read, but my 6 year old who doesn't have the deep understanding of baseball that he hopefully will have was grinning as I read, but I don't think he really was getting the humor or the references.
March 14, 2013
Age: Kindergarten+
Sports: Baseball
A finely illustrated rendition of the famous Abbott and Costello routine. The illustrations allow younger children to be able to understand this humorous word play. Also complete with a history of the routine in the back of the book.
Sports: Baseball
A finely illustrated rendition of the famous Abbott and Costello routine. The illustrations allow younger children to be able to understand this humorous word play. Also complete with a history of the routine in the back of the book.
July 5, 2016
I checked this out from the library without telling Kaelyn. She read it one night and loved it. So I showed her the Abbott & Costello sketch.
August 13, 2017
This act never gets old and passing it on to my sins makes it even better. Animating the characters makes this appropriate for all ages.
March 1, 2018
this was great, and the illustrations were adorable!
February 23, 2018
I laughed out loud at this multiple times.
July 10, 2021
Read the review on my blog: Tim's Book Reviews
Premise: Take comedy legends Abbott & Costello’s classic sketch explaining who is playing the different positions on a baseball team, illustrate it like a whimsical children’s book, and that’s what you get with Who’s On First?. Costello thinks Abbott is using pronouns when talking about baseball players, while Abbott thinks Costello understands that those are the actual names of the players.
Themes: Who’s On First? centers around the misunderstanding between two people confusing the proper names of baseball players with pronouns that have identical spellings and pronunciations. Hilarity ensues.
Pros: The illustrations of John Martz make Abbott and Costello’s interchange easier to understand without taking away from the humor between the two comedians. In fact, the art helps make it more accessible to a younger audience. I especially love the illustrations with arrows as the characters explain where the ball is traveling between the players. The comedic timing from the original sketch is kept very much in tact through the fun illustrations.
Cons: Even though Who’s On First? is marketed as a children’s picture book, children might get confused with this humorously confusing interaction, especially if they have little or no baseball knowledge. The text is basically lifted directly from the Abbott and Costello sketch with no new content other than the illustrations, which really isn’t much of a con unless you are looking for more.
Recommendations: Baseball and comedy fans will love Who’s On First? as they reminisce about Abbott and Costello’s famous comedy bit and enjoy this refreshing new take. The comic adaptation is done in a way that is helpful to young readers and adds a bit of cartoon humor into the mix. I will personally love reading this book over and over, and it is something I will love reading to my son as he grows a little older, perhaps even waiting until he can read it himself and knows a little more about the game of baseball to appreciate it fully. It will be fun to read it along with him out loud so he can get the full comedic effect. But Who’s On First? is not just for young readers, as most baseball fans will especially love this cartoon tribute to the comedy legends.
Premise: Take comedy legends Abbott & Costello’s classic sketch explaining who is playing the different positions on a baseball team, illustrate it like a whimsical children’s book, and that’s what you get with Who’s On First?. Costello thinks Abbott is using pronouns when talking about baseball players, while Abbott thinks Costello understands that those are the actual names of the players.
Themes: Who’s On First? centers around the misunderstanding between two people confusing the proper names of baseball players with pronouns that have identical spellings and pronunciations. Hilarity ensues.
Pros: The illustrations of John Martz make Abbott and Costello’s interchange easier to understand without taking away from the humor between the two comedians. In fact, the art helps make it more accessible to a younger audience. I especially love the illustrations with arrows as the characters explain where the ball is traveling between the players. The comedic timing from the original sketch is kept very much in tact through the fun illustrations.
Cons: Even though Who’s On First? is marketed as a children’s picture book, children might get confused with this humorously confusing interaction, especially if they have little or no baseball knowledge. The text is basically lifted directly from the Abbott and Costello sketch with no new content other than the illustrations, which really isn’t much of a con unless you are looking for more.
Recommendations: Baseball and comedy fans will love Who’s On First? as they reminisce about Abbott and Costello’s famous comedy bit and enjoy this refreshing new take. The comic adaptation is done in a way that is helpful to young readers and adds a bit of cartoon humor into the mix. I will personally love reading this book over and over, and it is something I will love reading to my son as he grows a little older, perhaps even waiting until he can read it himself and knows a little more about the game of baseball to appreciate it fully. It will be fun to read it along with him out loud so he can get the full comedic effect. But Who’s On First? is not just for young readers, as most baseball fans will especially love this cartoon tribute to the comedy legends.
May 4, 2017
Baseball season is here and we couldn't be happier. What better time to share this book based on the famed comedy duo, Abbott and Costello. This book is especially fun to read with a buddy. It reads just like the classic sketch. My four year old loves this one and has learned to read/memorized this one quickly. We've had so much fun reenacting this book and it's old school comic genius. (We've even recorded a few versions. :) Illustrator John Martz with the cutest animal versions of Abbott and Costello and they really help the kids get the joke. 😊⚾️ #kidsbooksworthreading #kidsbook #kidsbooks #kidsbookstagram #kidlit #picturebook #childrensliterature #whosonfirst #abbottandcostello #johnmartz #quirkbooks
May 28, 2020
Hehe cute and funny take on the classic "Who's on First?" comedy routine complete with cute little pictograph illustrations which just makes thing even more confusing for the bunny whose asking.
December 11, 2017
This. Is. Awesome.
December 11, 2019
Reading Level: K
Book Level: 2.3
Book Summary: The players on the baseball team have odd names like "who" and "what" and "I don't know" so when the new player tries to learn who plays what position, he gets very confused and frustrated. This is a great graphic novel version of the classic Abbott and Costello skit.
Mentor Book Writing Trait:
This would be a great mentor text for word choice with how much word play is in this book. This provides a great opportunity to talk to students about what word play is and how some words have multiple meanings. You could do an activity with students after reading this book where they come up with multiple meanings of words in the book as well as other good vocab words for them to know.
With this book being made after Abbott and Costello's famous skit, this could provide a great opportunity to do a comparison between the book and the skit with students. You could ask students to talk about what's similar or different between the two. This is a really unique situation where the book was actually made after the skit instead of a book being written before a movie. This could be the beginning of an interesting discussion about what often happens when a book becomes a movie or vice verse.
Book Level: 2.3
Book Summary: The players on the baseball team have odd names like "who" and "what" and "I don't know" so when the new player tries to learn who plays what position, he gets very confused and frustrated. This is a great graphic novel version of the classic Abbott and Costello skit.
Mentor Book Writing Trait:
This would be a great mentor text for word choice with how much word play is in this book. This provides a great opportunity to talk to students about what word play is and how some words have multiple meanings. You could do an activity with students after reading this book where they come up with multiple meanings of words in the book as well as other good vocab words for them to know.
With this book being made after Abbott and Costello's famous skit, this could provide a great opportunity to do a comparison between the book and the skit with students. You could ask students to talk about what's similar or different between the two. This is a really unique situation where the book was actually made after the skit instead of a book being written before a movie. This could be the beginning of an interesting discussion about what often happens when a book becomes a movie or vice verse.
April 18, 2020
Review: In the famous Abbott and Costello skit of Who’s on First we have an antagonist and a protagonist. The Protagonist wants to know who is on each base and when he got his answer he became very confused with the antagonist. Instead of explaining, the antagonist just repeats himself causing more mayhem. This is a light hearted skit performed for comedy. Who is actually on first, What is actually on Second, and Why is on third. Do you get it now! This story based around baseball is sure to bring a laugh out of you. Without too much explanation of the skit I will preserve the secret and let you read yourself.
Illustration: This book uses electronic animation of a bear and a bunny who are supposed to be Abbott and Costello. These loveable characters are perfect for the book and kids will love the interaction between two unlikely friends.
Rating: I’m sure if you’re old enough you love this famous skit. I give it a 5 star rating. If I could give it a 6 for it being a classic I would.
Illustration: This book uses electronic animation of a bear and a bunny who are supposed to be Abbott and Costello. These loveable characters are perfect for the book and kids will love the interaction between two unlikely friends.
Rating: I’m sure if you’re old enough you love this famous skit. I give it a 5 star rating. If I could give it a 6 for it being a classic I would.
October 5, 2022
Misses a third of the routine
it's really good to see this book and I hope kids enjoy it. This routine needs to be heard and explained for kids to "get it," so I hope parents spend times together with their children. (That's how I first heard it.)
What disappointed me with the book was that several key parts of the routine are excluded, such as when Who's wife comes to pick up his paycheck and when Costello thinks the first baseman's name it's Naturally.
Maybe these were left out to keep it simple for children. However, anyone expecting the complete routine may be disappointed and should know before they buy it. On the other hand, if you want something simple for you young children, this is probably fine.
P.S. If you never heard this performed before, the are plenty of videos of it in the web.
it's really good to see this book and I hope kids enjoy it. This routine needs to be heard and explained for kids to "get it," so I hope parents spend times together with their children. (That's how I first heard it.)
What disappointed me with the book was that several key parts of the routine are excluded, such as when Who's wife comes to pick up his paycheck and when Costello thinks the first baseman's name it's Naturally.
Maybe these were left out to keep it simple for children. However, anyone expecting the complete routine may be disappointed and should know before they buy it. On the other hand, if you want something simple for you young children, this is probably fine.
P.S. If you never heard this performed before, the are plenty of videos of it in the web.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews