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Bawk & Roll

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C'mon over--there's a whole lot of clucking going on in this hilarious follow-up to the popular Chicken Dance.


Marge and Lola have hit the big time! The dancing duo is ready to rock 'n' roll their way across the country, touring with the great Elvis Poultry. But when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, stage fright sets in. Will our two beloved chickens be too chicken to perform? Or will they find their courage and totally bawk, shake, and flap? 

 

36 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2012

1 person is currently reading
100 people want to read

About the author

Tammi Sauer

47 books135 followers
Tammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp (Sterling, 2005), Chicken Dance (Sterling, 2009), Mostly Monsterly (Paula Wiseman/S&S, 2010), the forthcoming Princess-in-Training (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and something that's currently Top Secret.

Tammi and her family live in Oklahoma with one dog, two geckos, and a tank full of random fish.

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5 stars
86 (23%)
4 stars
123 (33%)
3 stars
119 (31%)
2 stars
36 (9%)
1 star
8 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Calista.
5,434 reviews31.3k followers
December 6, 2020
I'm such a fan of Dan Santat's and he was the illustrator for this delightfully funny book. I haven't heard of Tammi, but she is good with the puns, so I might have to find more of her stuff.

This is about Marge and Lola, 2 chickens who are backup dancers for their traveling show of Elvis Rooster. The puns are just what I need, groaners to most, but delight to me. This book is full of great poultry bawk and soul. There is even a page where Tammi throws in the line, "the chickens knew what to do, they crossed the road." I died. It had my funny bone. Maybe I've been by myself for too long, but that was some great stuff.

The set-up is Marge and Lola are good dancers with stage fright and they faint during every show. They try all kinds of things, but it's only when their friends show up to cheer them on that they can shake their tail-feathers. Love it.

DAn's artwork is beautiful here, so colorful, vibrant and spectacular, like a concert. I love the chicken's Bob Mackey inspired dresses, I mean come on, this is comedy genius here.

I think this is a funny story children can laugh at and the adults can appreciate all the layers of jokes.

Bawk on!
Profile Image for Lynn  Davidson.
8,204 reviews35 followers
June 26, 2017
Marge and Lola (chickens) are on tour with superstar singer Elvis Poultry. Every time they get on stage as his backup singers they faint. They try many things to not be so stressed but stage fright makes them pass out and leave Elvis thinking he'll have to have a solo act.
One day Marge and Lola come up with a great idea to help them keep from fainting, and it works!
This story is funny all the way through with bold illustrations that add much to the humour.
Profile Image for Michelle.
903 reviews14 followers
October 4, 2017
It's about time someone wrote a children's book featuring Elvis. Elvis Poultry, that is, though he isn't the main character. My kindergarten students had a hard time following the plot because much of it is inferred, but this might be a "teachable" asset to older students learning reading skills.

Pictures are vibrant, but this one, like chickens, had a hard time getting off the ground.
Profile Image for Carol.
481 reviews75 followers
June 28, 2012
Elvis Poultry and his Chicken Dancers go on tour but The Chicken Dancers get a serious case of stage fright. Will they overcome their fear in time for the big concert at Dale's Dairy Farm? Love this!! Dan Santat is quickly becoming one of my favorite illustrators.
Profile Image for Elisabeth.
2,057 reviews24 followers
April 13, 2012
This follow-up to Chicken Dance is enjoyable, but like Chicken Dance - I still don't get a good grasp of the intended audience.
Profile Image for Mary Ann.
1,485 reviews315 followers
May 14, 2012
Marge and Lola can't believe how their dreams have come true. Superstar singer Elvis Poultry has asked them to be backup singers on his rock and roll tour. Their chicken dance rocked the house at the talent show in Sauer and Santat's previous book, Chicken Dance. But when the lights come on and Elvis parades in front of the cheering crowd, stage fright strikes - these chickens get cold feet.

Marge and Lola are down for the count and are sure nothing can help them. At each new venue, they try something new to calm their nerves, but nothing works! What are a pair of nervous hens to do?

But then, they realize they're missing the most important thing of all - the support of their friends. So "the chickens crossed the road" (to mail a letter) and invite their barnyard friends to the next concert. As the concert starts, everyone is cheering for Elvis. But then they hear, "We love you, chickens! ... Let's see your mooooooooves!" Thrilled with the audience's support, Elvis immediately comes up with a new hit song: "Blue Moooooooo" - Marge and Lola are thrilled.

Kids love the fast pace, the constant puns and dynamic illustrations. Sauer layers the puns and jokes liberally, and while many refer to Elvis, not all do. Kids will laugh at imagining the audience in their tightie whities and watching Elvis parachute onto the stage. Santat's vibrant illustrations, full of Vegas showbiz costumes and buffoonery, automatically draw kids to this story, but it's his details and unique perspectives that keep them coming back again and again.

While this is a sequel to Sauer and Santat's Chicken Dance, you can have fun with it as a stand-alone or as a companion. If you like this, you'll certainly love Jarrett Krosoczka's Punk Farm and Punk Farm on Tour.
Profile Image for Barbara.
15k reviews317 followers
March 22, 2012
In the follow up to the earlier hilarious title, Chicken Dance, Marge and Lola head off on tour with Elvis Poultry. They're ready to shake their tale feathers behind the great singer, but once they get on the stage, they become frozen and can't do a thing. After several failed attempts to conquer their stage fright, they resort to drastic measures. As in the previous title, this picture book is filled with witty phrases such as this one that comes out of the mouth of Elvis: "We'll try one more show," said Elvis. "If our flock can't rock, I gotta go solo" (unpaginaged) and "The chickens crossed the road" (unpaginated). The illustrations add immeasurably to the fun. Lola and Marge try painting, bathing, meditating, knitting, listening to soothing music, and even hypnotism to conquer their fears, all to no avail. Their nervousness is captured perfectly in their staring, round eyes as well as being described in the newspaper headlines that report on the road trip: "Chicken Dancers Chicken Out" (unpaginated) and "Bawk-Bawk Ba-Flop" (unpaginated). In the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that I laughed every time I looked at Elvis. With his trademark shades, sequined jumpsuit, feathers, and wattle, this rooster really reminded me so much of the king of rock and roll. If you need a good laugh, take a look at this book. Be sure to check out the names of the artists and song titles on the Barnyard 100--so funny!
Profile Image for Larissa.
35 reviews9 followers
March 29, 2012
In this bawk-tastic sequel to CHICKEN DANCE, Tammi Sauer and Dan Santat will once again rock your socks off. Marge and Lola have joined Elvis Poultry’s barnyard tour, but stage fright gets the best of them. The story and illustrations mesh beautifully, giving the reader and listener things to look and laugh at on every page. The resolution of Marge and Lola’s problem is both heartwarming and unexpected. I’m not sure I can pick a favorite, but I know that CHICKEN DANCE and BAWK & ROLL will have a special place in both my classroom and my home for years to come.
Profile Image for Heidi-Marie.
3,855 reviews87 followers
May 4, 2012
A fun follow-up with a realistic problem of stage fright. I love all the little jokes you see in the paper headlines and in what they say (e.g. "mooed off stage"). Some humor may be over the preschool crowd's heads, but school-age will enjoy it. Especially if they know about Elvis Prestley. And if they don't, at least the adult who is reading aloud or being read to can enjoy the jokes. Elvis aside, the story is still fun and kids could enjoy it. A storytime wouldn't do all the humor justice and be harder for the kids to see the details in the illustrations.

I'm glad there is a sequel.
Profile Image for Christine Turner.
3,560 reviews51 followers
June 9, 2012
"Dancing chickens Marge and Lola have flown the coop to shake, wattle, and roll on tour with superstar singer Elvis Poultry. Will the hens bawk at fame and lay a rotton egg in concert? Or will they rise to the top of the pecking order and give the crowds something to crow about?"--From inside flap of dust cover.


Subjects

Chickens -- Juvenile fiction

Roosters -- Juvenile fiction.

Entertainers -- Juvenile fiction

I might like this book more if the font was not so crazy.
Profile Image for Emily Hilkemann.
20 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2012
Shake, rattle and roll with Elvis Poultry and his back up chickens Marge and Lola…or not. Marge and Lola can’t seem to get over their stage fright and stop fainting at every show. Will Elvis Poultry have to ditch them and go solo? “Bawk and Roll” is a fun story that can teach kids about overcoming stage fright. I would recommend this as a great book for kindergarteners through second grade since the writing is very basic. The artwork is also very colorful and will attract younger kids.

Sauer, T., & Santat, D. (2012). Bawk & roll. New York: Sterling Children's Books.
Profile Image for Margaret Chind.
3,212 reviews268 followers
April 22, 2012
An interesting book about confidence and friendship. While we now live near Memphis it seems there is a world of Elvis, I'm sure that this book would be well received by many for more than it's own merits in personality and lessons learned. It's cute and a fun read.

*Thanks to Sterling for providing a copy for review.*

scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Profile Image for Paul  Hankins.
770 reviews319 followers
May 23, 2012
I've really been looking forward to this one. Recaps of CHICKEN DANCE appear at the beginning of the book before launching into a new chapter.

Lots of chicken jokes in here (and a story line that requires "crossing the road" is not to be missed)and Sauer is not afraid to use the word "wattle."

I love the whole package of this book from a funny, engaging story to Santat's brilliant illustrations that fill the page with lots of oranges and reds.
1,253 reviews8 followers
August 4, 2018
Marge and Lola just got dream jobs as the backup chickens to the rock and rolling Elvis Poultry. But they can't get over their stage fright and keep fainting during the shows. They finally get the courage to perform when they see their friends cheering them on in the stands.


LOVED it! The character, the stories, all of it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Peacegal.
11.7k reviews102 followers
May 8, 2012
Bravo! This is what "Rock-a-Doodle" could have been. Mile-a-minute puns, delightful illustrations and a laugh-out-loud storyline are highlights of this book about a hip-shakin' rooster, Elvis Poultry. Adults and kids alike will love this one.
Profile Image for John.
750 reviews
September 29, 2018
I like this book because they need everyone to help. They don't know how to do it, but they put a letter in the box. Papa read the letter and it said "Hurry!"
Profile Image for Kristen Thorp .
669 reviews25 followers
May 16, 2019
145/365

I always love Dan Santat's art but this story didn't gel with me.
Profile Image for Ian McHugh.
956 reviews5 followers
February 14, 2020
More Elvis Poultry adventures...this time on a tour bus. Great that Marge and Lola’s friends turned up to cheer them on!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books477 followers
May 9, 2025
Given Tammi Sauer's prolific career as a picture book writer, I'm not surprised that she has written a lighthearted book about performing.

In this story, the performers are Marge and Lola. A dancing duo of chickens.

They are touring with Elvis Presley. Excuse me, they are touring with the great Elvis Poultry.

Surprisingly -- though not if you have read many other picture books with a similar plot -- stage fright sets in.

The language and cultural references, the so-clever plays on words, are clearly aimed at Tammi's intended audience. So let's get to rating.

RATING THIS BOOK

Unless I absolutely love or loathe a book, my policy is to rate it in terms of my imagined response of the intended readers.

Tammi Sauer's intended audience is clearly young children, and their caregivers, who find it important to introduce youth to pop culture, worship of stardom, and language that will help them start to yearn toward being cool.

For them, I see how this could be a FIVE STAR book.

Personally, as a mother, there are a ton of other things I'd prefer my impressionable child to learn about. But undeniably, this book is intended to be super-cute.
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,380 reviews39 followers
September 24, 2023
A sequel to Chicken Dance. Marge and Lola are on the road with Elvis Poultry. But when the lights go down, the chickens faint! They are booed. Their tour with Elvis may be coming to a sudden end. What should they do?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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