The Value of Humor: The Story of Will Rogers

ValueTales Series

by Spencer Johnson, Steve Pileggi

One in a series of works which demonstrate the importance of various values. In this work a biography of Will Rogers illustrates the value of humor.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Humor

64 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1976

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Patrick Spencer Johnson was an American writer. He was known for the ValueTales series of children's books, and for his 1998 self-help book Who Moved My Cheese?, which recurred on the New York Times Bestseller list, on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover nonfiction list. Johnson was the chairman of Spencer Johnson Partners.

Reviews

[Felicity The Magnificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book there was a boy named Will Rogers. He had a horse and a cowboy lasso named Larry Ett. Will was always playing when it was time for him to do his homework. At school he always told funny jokes to the kids, and the principal didn't like it, and so she kicked him out of the school. Will's dad put him in a different school, so he wouldn't tell any more jokes or any more funny stuff or do funny things. When Will was older, he went somewhere else to live without his parents, and he was a cowboy when he was a grownup. And he became famous. One day found out that the President was going to come and watch him in one of his shows, and he had jokes about the President. He was worried that the President was not going to like it. But when he told the jokes about the President, the President laughed harder than anybody else. I liked this book because there was a boy who liked to tell funny jokes. -by Felicity

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

To this day, I enjoy laughing at myself, or even going so far as to tell jokes and stories that I know only I will laugh at. All thanks to Will Rogers and reading this book over and over as a kid.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this series of books when I was a kid, and I have really fond memories of them. I found a few updated versions of the stories and now read them to my kids. They actually ask for them pretty frequently. They each include an "inner voice" that speaks to the main character and encourages them to use positive values and traits in their lives. This story about Will Rogers is one of my least favourites of the series, maybe because I guess I just don't value humor as a fundamental in terms of living a good and decent life. Also, my kids don't ask for this story as much as the others, so I don't think it's just me.

[April Helms · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book’s quirky style, while unusual for a biography, works in this case because of its subject. It may be a bit long for a read-aloud for a group, but can be an excellent source for a child looking to do a report. It is pretty complete, taking the reader from Roger’s childhood to his unexpected death. Also includes a summary in the back. A bibliography would have made this book even better.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how my mom found out about these books but I'm glad that she did! :)

[Kelly]

This was a book I always checked out as second grader at my private school library. As an adult, I can't give it a rating. A total recommend to those with kids!!!!

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Value of Humor: The Story of Will Rogers by Spencer Johnson, Steve Pileggi (Illustrator)- Story of Will Spencer has been told by a Doctor Importance. Will Rogers have resided in his father’s farm / ranch in Oklahoma. His father owned agricultural land and horses. There was a waterfall near his farm. He used to take his horses for a bath and swim at the waterfall. Danny Walker, a cowboy served his father. Will requested Danny to teach him how to catch moving horses and other animals by throwing a rope lines on their neck or feet. Will’s mother wished that Will should become a Christian Cleric/ missionary. Will’s father called him and instructed him to better things in life than playing with rope lines. Will sat on a rock in the garden spinning his rope line. Will was attracted by the swinging noise of the rope line. Will named him Larry Att. Now the two were friends and partners. Larry suggested to Will that he must laugh more. This will improve his mood. When mood of a person is down, he must laugh to elevate his mood. Will was sent to school. Here he found that there were no horses or other domestic animals here to play. He found that a statue has been erected. Will threw his line rope on its neck and pulled it. The statue floored to the ground. He asked to be pardoned for this mistake and went to play on ground away from school. While playing, he threw the rope which fell on the neck of a teacher. He immediately rescued him. Will’s father came to know about these incidents. He admitted Will to Army School where the discipline was strict. The students were impressed with his antics and jolly nature. He was awarded the best impromptu speaker in school. But he was weak in subjects being taught. One night he ran away from the Army School. He got a job as a cowboy at farm. Here he had to work with domestic animals in the mud. He used to feel tired with the daily hard work. He decided to return back to his father’s ranch farm. His parents were happy and welcomed him at his arrival. He started working on his farm with other cowboys. He entertained them but Will was not able to get work out of them. Will left home and joined Roadio. Roadio is a club where cowboys compete in spinning the line to catch domestic animals and men. Whoever wins the competition, is awarded big money. Will succeeded in this competition. Will returned home. Here he met a girl named Betty Blake. Will tried to impress her by driving on his cycle and showing antics. Will fell down and laughed on himself. Betty was impressed. They instantly became friends. Will planned to visit the world. Will boarded a ship and travelled to England, South America, Africa and Australia. On his journey, he spun his line, entertained people and earned money. Back in USA, he roped an angry bull and saved people. The newspapers covered this news. One stage manager gave him an opportunity to entertain people by throwing line rope. The rope stuck his foot. He fell down people laughed. Thus his show was successful. Will returned and met Betty. They married. Will knew that moving on stage with horses was difficult, therefore, he changed to a showman on stage who presented jokes for people to laugh. Betty suggested that Will must read the newspaper, find jokes on daily incidents and present them on his show. Will started his career as a satirist. Once President Woodrow Wilson attended his show. Will confidently presented his satire. Mr. President laughed, he was impressed. Will was asked to write humour columns for newspaper. Larry Att was always with him. Will typed his columns and sent them to newspapers. In the period of financial low, people read his columns and smiled. Mr. Colvin Coolidge President of USA attended his show. He was happy and both smiled. Will liked to meet people from small towns, they were the ones from whose talking, jokes could be picked up. Will liked to stay on his farm and play with his children. Message from this story is that children should always smile and remain happy whatever the situation.

[Leila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this one. I have heard of Will Rogers but can't recall ever seeing anything he was in. Based on the story of his life, I don't necessarily agree that Humor is the most befitting value for him. I just am unsettled with the story.