Barnyard Slam

by Dian Curtis Regan, Paul Meisel (Illustrator)

The barnyard is going hog wild! Yo Mama Goose has her geathers full trying to host a poetry contest without raising the rafters. Writers are sensitive creatures; and all of the animals want to strut their stuff, including Yo Mama herself.  With tempers flaring--and noise levels rising--Farmer and Son are sure to hear the commotion. None of the animals can afford to horse around, and it will take a genuine artist to bring peace back to the barn. This tongue-in-beak tale is sure to amuse and inspire poets and animal lovers alike.  A New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Poetry, Humor, Childrens, Storytime, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Dian is the author of many books for young readers, ranging from picture books to novels for teenagers. She graduated from the University of Colorado, her home state, and has also lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Venezuela. Presently, she lives in Kansas.

Reviews

[Barbara Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

We randomly picked up this book at the library and are so glad that we did. This is the funniest and corniest kids book we have gotten out yet. There are many silly jokes in there that are definitely put in for the grown-ups, not the kids. Yet, our three year old loved laughing along as I was getting into fits of giggles over the dumb puns.

[zunggg]

The only thing sadder than watching a stand-up comedian "dying" on stage is watching a children's entertainer in the same situation. And this book is the literary equivalent.

I have a high tolerance for cornball humour. But this entire book is a menagerie of facepalm-inducing, fifth-rate barnyard puns. Mercifully, the majority of the offences against wordplay will fly over the heads of the target audience, but they'll hit adult readers square in the kisser, and the resultant eggy miasma will be hard to disperse.

"Yo Mama Goose?" What were they thinking??

[Carl Hamlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't understand the bad reviews for this book. The art is clean, humorous, and expressive. As for the story, there is an interesting duality here. Kids and adults will laugh at this, but not for the same reasons, and that sets it apart from many other similar books. The book is self aware of its puns, silly humor, and references to other children's books.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visiting a children’s section of a library I saw this displayed and added to my pile of picture books and sat down to read. I loved this one and its corny humor and its country humorous puns. I also loved the illustrations any by the way the last horse we owned was, Charley. Even after a day of work, Charlie would allow one to ride him bareback to his pasture field. He was a good horse.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5)

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals on the farm had a secret poetry slam night. They all wanted to be heard so that they had a chance to win. Lots of play with words in this story. Very nice illustrations.

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 8 years

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at the grocery store and was intrigued, so I flipped through it. When I finished reading it, I realized I had to take it with me! Yes, it's a picture book. Yes, I am going to use it in my middle school classroom. Regan uses her words so wonderfully- the book is a poetry slam, with poets including many of the animals on a farm. As such, the reader gets to see a variety of forms of poetry. This would be great to use to introduce different forms (or even just the idea that, hey! Poetry doesn't have to rhyme!) or use in a scavenger hunt to find different types of poems. Regan also sprinkles lots of idioms throughout the book so this would be a great way to introduce idioms to students. I see potential for this book with older ESL students, as well.

As a fun bonus, the author includes references to other literary works, including Click, Clack, Moo and some nursery rhymes.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's happening tonight on the farm? A poetry slam in the barn. All are invited to hear and be heard.

What I thought: Hilarious! Ever since Cronin's farm books came on the scene, books about farm animals have become increasingly popular. This one doesn't miss. I loved haring all the animals' poems. My favorite was Cow's (excuse me, Bovina's). I also liked seeing the animals' personalities develop. I hope we'll see more of these barnyard friends.

Story Time Ideas: Would be great for introducing kids to the concept of poetry slams. Pair with Cronin's books for a fun story time.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might've liked it more had Yes, Yes, Yaul not been read and enjoyed right before I dug into this one. It's fun and there's plenty of (unoriginal) groaners that could delight or infuriate you (depending on how high or low your bar is set for characters named "Charlie Horse" that's a horse or "Lamb I Am" that's a riff on Dr. Seuss' classic Green Eggs and Ham).

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous book about animals that do a poetry reading, but much of the humor was wasted on my 7 year olds. I would guess the humor would be better for slightly older child, but who has 9 year olds who are read picture books.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book runs a little long and a little punny for the usual picture book audience. Breaking it down, though, it is a fun way to introduce poetry to young readers and listeners who still love barnyard animals and their sounds.

The illustrations were OK, but not the strongest I've seen.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars This book is full of animal puns and poetry. It should have been fun and funny but I just found it okay. It was fine, not great not amazing ...the worst thing to say about a book...it is 'fine'.

[Marge]

poetry slam for the young set

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check this out. Talk about a book that had to be so much fun to write! Would work well for the older kids who could appreciate the humor. The rest of the staff is howling as they read it!

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if younger readers will understand the word play and older readers who would understand may find it too cartoony.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this in a Punk Farm kind of way - a great pairing for book bundles.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, but the pop culture references are way over my 3 y/o's head. Made it enjoyable for me, but not very funny for him.

[Michelle]

would be great for school-age program on poetry

[Jennifer Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book to read-aloud to children, in which the author, creates a poetry slam for all the animals found in a barn.

[Kaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this book were funny, but they were full of jokes that only older children would understand. The banter was fast and furious, but the plot was pretty thin.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

It just seemed like it was trying too hard to be clever. The book was a little to chaotic and some of the "jokes" seem to go over the heads of little kids.

[Finny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mommy says: The puns were a little annoying.

[Mrs. Gabrielle Zastrow's · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, but a little too deep for us. We will have to reread it when we study poetry in April. Mrs. Zastrow is also going to write a Readers Theater for us on this book. We can't wait!

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painfully unfunny. This book is trying way too hard.

[darnfeinbookthoughts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it! Great puns and love the idea behind the book. The dialogue fell flat and the storyline was weak.

[Natalie]

I hated it!!!!!!!!!