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The Stupids #2
The Stupids Have a Ball
The Stupid family celebrates the children's awful report cards by inviting their relatives to a costume party.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
Harry Allard
41 books86 followersHarry Allard was an American writer of children's books. Many of his books have received awards; a few have also been banned and challenged in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 20, 2015
A is for Allard
The Stupids Have a Ball by Harry Allard and James Marshall, as reinterpreted by Betty Lou from Circulation
Beware, Thar be... you know what? Forget it. Onward!
The book begins with a scathing indictment of the national education system as well as parenting as both children seem to be doing poorly yet their lack of effort is praised. They are even rewarded for their ineptitude with a costume ball, the preparation and execution therein complete the narrative.
The authors make a point to show how the tactics of the rich and moronic upper class force the lower class, in this case a cat and dog, prepare balloons, punch and invitations. The upper class, i.e. “Parents”, only include themselves in the final activity and have difficulty doing even that, mocking the upper class’s inablility to do even simple tasks.
As we near the party, we are exposed to even more extremes the rich and idle go through to waste their moneys. Costumes such as “George Washing Machine,” a bastardization of our nation's noble leader, show the depths to which the upper class reach to shame our great nation. Other costumes are clearly metaphors for how the rich and poor should interact, including Ma as “spaghetti” being all wrapped up in herself and the dog as “The Bone Ranger,” a call for the unwashed masses to take back what they can through vigilante means if they must to reach a state of justice.
As the guests arrive, you can see the extent the authors feel they need to go to chastise the rich and powerful. One guest arrives on a duck, which we all know as the Celtic symbol for transition, signifying a change in status quo is approaching.
A sad moment comes halfway through the book as Grandfather Stupid arrives down a chimney dressed as the Easter Bunny. Oh, this painful scene forces the reader to confront the idea that not only will we age and die, but we will collapse into the gaping maw of Alzheimer’s if our nation’s healthcare does not improve.
The final scene comes as a crushing blow not only to the reader but to society as a whole when we learn that, despite everyone wearing costumes, none but the Stupids themselves were aware this was a costume ball. By forcing us to look back into ourselves, this revelation begs the question, “Are we all at a costume ball where no one wore a costume?” Think on that, dear reader.
I can only recommend The Stupids Have a Ball to the most studied among us. True, juveniles may find the embellishments humorous, but true scholars will find so much more beneath the surface.
Each day in the month of April 2012 (starting the first Sunday, then excluding every other Sunday) we will blog using the alphabet as our guide. I will link each post to the letter and you can find them all on this page. If you want to keep up with the challenge for my fellow bloggers, check out the A to Z Challenge Page.
The Stupids Have a Ball by Harry Allard and James Marshall, as reinterpreted by Betty Lou from Circulation
Beware, Thar be... you know what? Forget it. Onward!
The book begins with a scathing indictment of the national education system as well as parenting as both children seem to be doing poorly yet their lack of effort is praised. They are even rewarded for their ineptitude with a costume ball, the preparation and execution therein complete the narrative.
The authors make a point to show how the tactics of the rich and moronic upper class force the lower class, in this case a cat and dog, prepare balloons, punch and invitations. The upper class, i.e. “Parents”, only include themselves in the final activity and have difficulty doing even that, mocking the upper class’s inablility to do even simple tasks.
As we near the party, we are exposed to even more extremes the rich and idle go through to waste their moneys. Costumes such as “George Washing Machine,” a bastardization of our nation's noble leader, show the depths to which the upper class reach to shame our great nation. Other costumes are clearly metaphors for how the rich and poor should interact, including Ma as “spaghetti” being all wrapped up in herself and the dog as “The Bone Ranger,” a call for the unwashed masses to take back what they can through vigilante means if they must to reach a state of justice.
As the guests arrive, you can see the extent the authors feel they need to go to chastise the rich and powerful. One guest arrives on a duck, which we all know as the Celtic symbol for transition, signifying a change in status quo is approaching.
A sad moment comes halfway through the book as Grandfather Stupid arrives down a chimney dressed as the Easter Bunny. Oh, this painful scene forces the reader to confront the idea that not only will we age and die, but we will collapse into the gaping maw of Alzheimer’s if our nation’s healthcare does not improve.
The final scene comes as a crushing blow not only to the reader but to society as a whole when we learn that, despite everyone wearing costumes, none but the Stupids themselves were aware this was a costume ball. By forcing us to look back into ourselves, this revelation begs the question, “Are we all at a costume ball where no one wore a costume?” Think on that, dear reader.
I can only recommend The Stupids Have a Ball to the most studied among us. True, juveniles may find the embellishments humorous, but true scholars will find so much more beneath the surface.
Each day in the month of April 2012 (starting the first Sunday, then excluding every other Sunday) we will blog using the alphabet as our guide. I will link each post to the letter and you can find them all on this page. If you want to keep up with the challenge for my fellow bloggers, check out the A to Z Challenge Page.
November 21, 2013
This children's book has been on controversial books lists before, and I completely understand why. The Stupids are a family made up of a dad, mom, son and daughter. We are introduced to the Stupid family by having the parents praise the children for their hard work in flunking all their classes. At this point in reading I was thinking, "Ok, I guess that is kind of stupid of them...I guess?" The story goes on to explain how they are going to invite all their family to a costume ball in celebration of the children flunking everything. This is when I started to have major problems with the book. Because the family is the Stupids, it gives off the impression that when they do silly or bizarre things, this is stupid. Stupid, in my opinion, is a very harsh word. The dog's name is Kitty- that is silly, not stupid. Kitty (pet dog) and Xylophone (pet cat) make punch that the family think is "so tasty". The illustration gives away the ingredients; tuna, pepper, ketchup. These ingredients make it funny that the family loves it- not stupid. The illustrations provide many examples of things that don't need to refer to as stupid because that may make young readers feel hurt. A picture on the wall in the house of a pig is titled "fox"- so if I don't the correct name of an animal or object, I'm just stupid? I understand that I may be analyzing this book too deeply, however I would never choose to have this book in my classroom. I think young readers should see silly things as funny and crazy through literature. I would hate for this book to encourage the word "stupid" to become overly represented in my student's vocabulary due to this picture book.
July 2, 2011
What kinds of parents hope that their children flunk every subject when report cards roll around? “Stupid” ones do. This book tries to be funny by being overly outrageous. There are probably better ways to portray stupidity than having the family cat get its tail stuck in her nose or to have a daughter wear a dress with incorrect math equations printed all over it. The premise for the book makes sense, but it is poorly executed. The author appears to be going for shock factor, but the whole idea is presented in a way that is a bit absurd, especially for young readers. The controversy behind this book is understandable as well, since a family consisting of stupid people is not exactly how many people want the family unit to be portrayed. Reading this book also allows children to think that being labeled “stupid” is okay and even desirable.
February 10, 2013
Because of the research on the negative impact on the self-efficacy of Native children, I cannot in good conscience recommend -- at all -- STUPIDS HAVE A BALL because the dog is shown wearing a feathered headband:
http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...
March 2, 2022
This is a series of books written by Harry Allard where the characters are depicted as challenged, can't comprehend tasks, and are praised for bad behavior. These exact reasons are why many of the books in this series are censored and the ones who are not are currently being challenged. The argument for banning the books is that they promote negative behavior, promote failing school, and encourage not participating in simple tasks or giving up. I can definitely see myself reading this to my children for the first time and stopping in the middle of it. This book can set a bad example for young learners of life even if the story is just trying to be funny. The only recent news with this book is that the author defends the stories as just that, a fictional story that holds no merit. But this is still causing constant pushback.
September 29, 2017
It is Banned Books Week, and I am reading Challenged/Banned books. This is the eighth book for this week.
This book was challenged/banned because of the word stupid, and because kids were being disobedient.
The Stupids are having a ball, and why? Because their little kids flunked everything in school! Yep, not sure if that is a reason to celebrate, but in the Stupid family it is! And I did have a laugh about it.
And the whole family is not the brightest bulb, even their cat Xylophone (yes really, what name :P) gets her tail stuck in her nose when hearing about the celebration.
Though apparently the cat and the dog are slightly smarter than the owners, given that they do most of the work for the celebration. (Making punch with um, well tuna, decorating, blowing balloons, etc.)
The Stupid's costumes were a laugh. From a washing machine to just wrapping spaghetti around oneself. I had lots of fun seeing how everyone dressed themselves up. Even one as an Easter Bunny though he probably meant to be Santa Claus given how he arrived.
And also seeing how the family arrived at home. From ducks to rockets, anything goes it seems.
The twist near the end had me in stitches though. I definitely didn't expect that, though now that I think of it... I guess it was to be expected. The name of the family is Stupid after all.
The art isn't really my style. There were some pages I did like, and the rest also wasn't bad, but yeah, just not my style.
But still I had several laughs while reading this book. It was stupidly funny.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book was challenged/banned because of the word stupid, and because kids were being disobedient.
The Stupids are having a ball, and why? Because their little kids flunked everything in school! Yep, not sure if that is a reason to celebrate, but in the Stupid family it is! And I did have a laugh about it.
And the whole family is not the brightest bulb, even their cat Xylophone (yes really, what name :P) gets her tail stuck in her nose when hearing about the celebration.
Though apparently the cat and the dog are slightly smarter than the owners, given that they do most of the work for the celebration. (Making punch with um, well tuna, decorating, blowing balloons, etc.)
The Stupid's costumes were a laugh. From a washing machine to just wrapping spaghetti around oneself. I had lots of fun seeing how everyone dressed themselves up. Even one as an Easter Bunny though he probably meant to be Santa Claus given how he arrived.
And also seeing how the family arrived at home. From ducks to rockets, anything goes it seems.
The twist near the end had me in stitches though. I definitely didn't expect that, though now that I think of it... I guess it was to be expected. The name of the family is Stupid after all.
The art isn't really my style. There were some pages I did like, and the rest also wasn't bad, but yeah, just not my style.
But still I had several laughs while reading this book. It was stupidly funny.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 7, 2011
The Stupids Have a Ball is an amusing story about the “Stupids”, a family of contradictions. They have a dog named Kitty, and they celebrate the children’s failing grades. They have a picture of a pig hanging on the wall with the title “fox” under it. The silliness continues as members of the extended family arrive for a costume party, and Grandfather, dressed as the Easter Bunny, comes down the chimney carrying a pumpkin. There are many clever plays on words, and the illustrations not only complement the text, but they also extend it. When the family remarks that the “punch is always so tasty”, the illustrations reveal the disgusting secret ingredients being added by their pets. This book is best for children over five who can grasp the absurdity and appreciate the humor of this ridiculous family.
November 22, 2011
I like this Stupid book even better than it's predecessor, "The Stupids Step Out" and I'm very excited to read the conclusion to this Stupid trilogy, "The Stupids Die".
In this Stupid story, we get to meet even more Stupids when there is a Stupid family party. This is such Stupid fun!
My favorite characters in the book are Grandfather Stupid and Cousin Dottie Stupid.
From the book................
"Oh look!" squealed Petunia. "It's Grandfather Stupid!"
Grandfather Stupid came down the chimney.
He was dressed as the Easter Bunny.
"Ho,ho,ho," he said.
....Later Grandfather Stupid and Cousin Dottie Stupid are dancing.....
But Grandfather Stupid was having the most fun of all.
"You sure can polka, Dot," he said.
In this Stupid story, we get to meet even more Stupids when there is a Stupid family party. This is such Stupid fun!
My favorite characters in the book are Grandfather Stupid and Cousin Dottie Stupid.
From the book................
"Oh look!" squealed Petunia. "It's Grandfather Stupid!"
Grandfather Stupid came down the chimney.
He was dressed as the Easter Bunny.
"Ho,ho,ho," he said.
....Later Grandfather Stupid and Cousin Dottie Stupid are dancing.....
But Grandfather Stupid was having the most fun of all.
"You sure can polka, Dot," he said.
August 26, 2013
I read my first Stupids book when I was a page in the children's section of my local library. (I must have been a slow page because it seems as if I read every book before I put it back on the shelf.) I thought The Stupids Step Out was hilarious when I was a teenager. I recently found this gem, The Stupids Throw a Ball, at a thrift store. I am happy to report that, more than 30 years later, the Stupids are still hysterical. Any kid, big or little, who doesn't find it funny, needs to have their funny bone examined. The illustrations are full of sly humor, as is the writing. The Stupids Rule.
October 30, 2016
This book is banned, and for good reason, I would never want to read this to my students. It is confusing, even to me an adult so I can't imagine how the students would react. The book uses fouls language, like the word 'stupid' and encourages mean behavior. The kids in the book also disobey their parents and are applauded for it. Overall this book doesn't teach the students any lessons, there is nothing educational about it and it isn't funny.
January 20, 2010
There's just a certain something about this book that gives it an indiscernible quality of charm. The Stupids are back in full force, and their antics will be the cause of as much laughter as the first book about them. The Stupids Have a Ball is sort of the ultimate picture book for reluctant young readers who flinch even at the thought of cracking the binding on anything longer.
January 9, 2013
To celebrate Buster and Petunia having failed every subject at school the Stupid family hosts a ball and invites the whole Stupid clan. It's a costume ball, though the extended stupid family doesn't dress up, though it's hardly noticeable.
Funny with plenty of stupid details to pick out in the illustrations.
Funny with plenty of stupid details to pick out in the illustrations.
November 23, 2012
To celebrate Buster and Petunia's straight Fs on their report cards, their parents throw a costume party and invite family. Goofy illustrations and zany storyline make for a fun book.
themes: family, party, silliness
themes: family, party, silliness
August 7, 2014
The Stupid family celebrates the children's awful report cards by inviting their relatives to a costume party. This book uses the word stupid, describes families in a derogatory manner, and shows children disobeying their parents.
August 20, 2007
I read this at a Banned Books Week reading. Oh, those crazy Stupids.
February 10, 2008
the book that taught me how to pun.
April 22, 2008
When the elementary school librarian read this to my class it seemed so verboten, a book with stupid in the title. How scandalous!
August 5, 2008
Wonderful series!
April 3, 2009
I liked ow they forgot to tell them it was a costume party and the grandpa was the easter bunny but said Ho Ho Ho
March 31, 2012
These books are just the right amount of weird. I like to call them "The Sillies" rather than "The Stupids" when I read it.
November 10, 2012
Even if this book is banned in many states, I really like to read it. We can see the upper limit of people's ridiculous behaves. ALso, illustration is good and very funny.
August 28, 2013
The Stupid's threw a ball because their children flunked everything on their report cards.
Black listed book
Black listed book
February 26, 2014
Silly nonsense that my three year old enjoys.
June 20, 2014
The Stupids are lovely and quirky though I can understand the potential dilemma in insinuating that their lives are stupid. Nothing stupid at all, just whacky!
July 16, 2014
They're all stupid, get it? Yeah, it's not a joke most adults revere, but when you're five or under, it's the best joke ever.
September 10, 2014
This series always makes me roll my eyes and cringe a bit, but I know a lot of kids love the silliness of the Stupid family, and I can support that.
October 22, 2014
I love the Stupid family member who dressed up as General George Washing Machine!
February 11, 2016
General George Washing Machine! Hahaha. Quirky and humorous book that children will find amusing.
August 14, 2016
I read this to my kids today. They loved it as much as I did as a kid.
August 20, 2016
Read for banned book week preparation. Was not worth my time. Maybe because I'm not a child, but this book was just too ridiculous for me, and I didn't enjoy any of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews