Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah: A Letter from Camp

by Allan Sherman, Lou Busch, Jack E. Davis (Illustrator)

The illustrator of the Zack Files series presents an illustrated version of the song in which a young camper describes all of the horrors of Camp Granada and begs his parents to let him come home.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Summer, Kids, Music, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea - using Sherman's classic song as the basis for a children's book. As sad as it seems, it's quite possible some of the younger set have never heard this wonderful tune. Those poor deprived souls!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jjiW...

Davis's illustrations are quite humorous, and I'm pleased that he made the reluctant camper resemble a young Allan Sherman.





Sorry about the earworm!

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t resist this book. I found the song hilarious when I was a kid and I’m so glad it’s in book form. I sang my way through the song. For me, the illustrations were so secondary, and they were fine enough. My only quibble, and it’s a major one, is that the sheet music should have been included. If anyone picks up this book without knowing the song, they may enjoy it, but I feel sorry for them that they can’t enjoy the full experience. But I loved revisiting this song via this book, and I’d happily sing it to any child within reach. ;-)

3 ½ stars

I’m upping my rating to 4 stars because I love the song so much.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

In recognition of the summer when many kids (including mine) go away from home to camp.

I read this thanks to Melki, from whom I also steal the link to the song it is based on, from Allan Sherman's record album, My Son, The Folk Singer, which is the best reason to do this review at all:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jjiW...

Jack Davis does a nice job with the illustration, too.

PS: The three tween kids read the book together while listening to Sherman's performance of his song and they liked it a lot, smiled through it, laughed a couple times. A 1963 novelty song by a goofy guy, and it's still got legs, Allan, may you RIP. (Sherman died in 1973).

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember hearing this song on a record of 25 years of comedy sketches back in the late 1970s. My Dad borrowed the record from the library and we made a cassette tape copy because I loved it so much. I laughed so hard when I heard this that my sides hurt and I listened to it so much that I memorized the song. When I saw this book, I just had to read through it, singing the song again in my head. It was great, and the illustrations are funny. Perfect to read (or sing) aloud with children.

This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2013 - Summer Outdoor Activities discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

August 2013 update: We decided this one was worth a reread and I accompanied the book with a Youtube video of Allan Sherman singing the song. We loved it!

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I've long enjoyed the silly song by Allan Sherman. Jack Davis' illustrations fit the song perfectly and made this a fantastic, funny book.

Lesson Connection
This would be a fun back to school book to get the kids talking about their summer experiences. It could also be used for a reading lesson in how the setting can change a story. It would be a very good, very literal example - easy for the kids to grab on to.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the song, dislike the art, but i'm not eight years old. my eight year old self would have given it four stars.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when customers say, "Hey, could you hold on for a minute.. I want to look at something real quick" I have no problem picking up their books while I am waiting to check them out and reading them... it turns out to be total fun when they have awesome books like this.
Loved the song, Loved the book,, cookey and funny.. lol

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super fun illustrations to match the song. My children had never heard the song, and they've never been to camp, so I'm not sure they appreciated it as much as I did. But it was a fun read. My 8 year old looked terrified when she saw/heard there were alligators in the lake. :) Don't think she wants to go to camp, now.

[Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I've heard this a hundred times, Judy singing it any time camp is mentioned…
Please don't let me stay, I've been here one whole day!
Wait a minute, it stopped hailing…
Kindly disregard this review.

[Ria Turk · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this book, I had to have it. I love the song, and the illustrations in this book fits perfectly with the song. I have yet to read it to a kid who doesn't like it. Definitely a must have for all ages!

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my daughter was in 1st grade this was one of her favorite books. She checked it out from the library over and over. She checked it out a couple times before I realized she didn't know it was a song. When we found it on you tube she got such a kick out of it.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great children's book!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We borrowed this book from the library and it was THE favorite book of the bunch. We read it at least three times a day if not more. The kiddos were sad to return it. Great book!

[Marie Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The song translates well into a picture book for today.

[Mrs. Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids love this book! a little weird, but they love it!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Davis did a wonderful job of bringing this old hilarious camp song to life. If you are not familiar with the song, look it up on Youtube. It's a hoot! and so is this book.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the old song about a little boy writing his parents about his misery at being at camp put to illustrations.

The art is really silly and fun to look at.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Marge, is Lisa at Camp Granada?"

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a easy and good book i kinda like it

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid at camp writes his parents a letter on his first day at camp, informing them of how he longs to return home, and will change his behavior if they only let him come home. He writes this letter as it is raining , but when it stops, and the sun comes out, he gets a whole different outlook on camp, his post script requests that his parents ignore what he has written in the letter.

[Kristen Dutkiewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough and I enjoyed singing it as I made my way through the book with my campers. They giggled over a few of the illustrations.

[Kareena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly story to fit the song. Fine for storytime, but not my favorite.

[Andrew Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations make the book. The story and details will probably go over the head of any young child but is light hearted and funny for the adult reader.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to read this book. Seems like it would be read like the song, but didn't really fit. Likes the illustrations.

[Jess H · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun, must sing and clap!

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrated (fun) version of original song from 1963.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute quick read.