Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe

by Tim DeRoche, Daniel González (Illustrator)

*** STARRED REVIEWS from Kirkus and the American Library Association (ALA) ***

If your moral character is flimsy
Or your wit be rather slow,
Oh dare not read these tales of whimsy
For often do they end in woe.

Quite possibly the most dangerous book of poetry ever written. Do you dare? It’s so good it will make you sneeze. What becomes of a girl who absolutely detests the color green? What about a king who joins a punk band? And the little boy who calls up God on the telephone? Monsters, bears, wizards, and talking vegetables—This book has something for everyone. Winner of the prestigious Baldersquash Medal, which honors the very best in highfalutin nonsense.

Tim DeRoche and Daniel González, author and illustrator of the best-selling Ballad of Huck & Miguel, return with a book of verse that will delight anyone who loves Lemony Snicket or Shel Silverstein.

"This illustrated collection of verse indulges in fairy-tale absurdity and is sufficiently zany to have children and adults squealing with glee... A rare work of pure, unbridled fun."
-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A wacky, fantastical collection of lyrical poems that will entertain children and adults alike. Great for fans of Shel Silverstein and Lemony Snicket.”
––Publishers Weekly BookLife Reviews, "Editor's Pick"

"Like Ogden Nash or Shel Silverstein before him, Tim DeRoche delivers a book of subversive, tall-tale poetry that will delight children and their grownups, especially those ready to squirm free of the confines of adult logic."
––Aaron Becker, Caldecott Honoree and author/illustrator of the Journey series

“Clever and witty, with charming illustrations. Makes me nostalgic for Shel Silverstein and Edward Gorey."
––Katy Towell, author of Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow

“Marshmallow cars! Mudshakes with hollandaise sauce! Airborne ungulates! A fun, fantastical collection—chock full of creative wordplay, memorable characters, and wild scenarios.”
––Calef Brown, NYT bestselling author of Polkabats and Octopus Slacks

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Middle Grade

92 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Tim DeRoche emigrated to California to attend Pomona College, where he studied English literature. He is the author of three books, one published in 2018 and two to be released in 2019.

Tim has optioned horror screenplays to Maverick Films (Twilight trilogy) and Haxan Films (Blair Witch). He has served as executive producer and writer of the children’s science series Grandpa’s Garage, produced by Turner. He has also written and directed short films appearing in film festivals in California, Kentucky, and Connecticut. A graduate of the PBS Producers Academy at WGBH in Boston, he also holds a certificate in feature-film screenwriting from UCLA.

As a consultant, Tim provides strategy, finance, and operations help to clients including Fortune 500 companies, small start-ups, and leading non-profits in K12 education reform. He is the chairman of the California Center for Parent Empowerment (CCPE) which was founded by former California State Senator Gloria Romero and which aims to open public schools to all comers. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and an alumnus of the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

Tim lives with his wife Simone and two young kids in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children in my school love poetry books and I think they would like this one too. The illustrations are fun and add to each story or poem. Some of the poems were very witty and silly and others we’re just okay. I don’t mind the occasional word for students to look up and a few like borogove stumped me. And a few of the funnier to me poems had lines that I thought were more for older readers. At times I found the rhyming rhythm hard to figure out. I would purchase this for a school library shelf but in all honesty I would probably suggest Silverstein over this for elementary aged readers. In my ARC I had formatting issues when using the Kindle app that were not an issue using the NetGalley app. Thank you to NetGalley and RedTail Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsea (2_girls_bookin_it) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Browsing NetGalley, I found Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe and it immediately gave me Shel Silverstein vibes. I LOVE Shel Silverstein's poems, so I was excited to find another poet who seemed to have a similar style.

While the poems did show some similarities, it didn't quite live up to what I expected. However, I still enjoyed the entire book. It was a quick read, with cute illustrations to accompany the poems. So if you like rhyming poetry, I'd suggest picking up Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe for a quick read. Overall, I give the book 3.5 stars.

[Verónica Fleitas Solich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious.
I listened to the audiobook and it's stupendously cool.
A unique experience that I highly recommend.
I didn't think it could be that much fun and it surprised me because for being so simple, it's magnificently well done.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! The cover, the poems and the drawings reminded me so much of Shel Silverstein's books! It brought back so much nostalgia. The poems were fun and whimsical! Also funny in parts too! Definitely recommend! Will be buying this to add to my collection of Shel Silverstein books, since they're so similar. Wish there would of been more poems but it was such a fun fast read!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Redtail Press publishing for sending me an early arc ebook copy for my honest review.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my what a fun read and I don’t normally enjoy poetry.
Here we have a mashup of Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein and a lesser known book, The Bloody Hungry Spleen by Allan Wolf.

This is a fun and silly book of nonsense and a winner of the annual Baldersquash medal. Yes that one was new to me too. It seems to be a rather mysterious award and honors the very best in highfalutin nonsense.

Every bit of this anthology of odd poems are completely engaging and enhanced by the illustrations.

I enjoyed Carrot Talk where Mis Pepper was insulted not by Carrrot.

Then there is now to start your morning…
I brush my teeth with superglue,
And wash my face—oh yes I do—
With leftover soup I find in the trash
(Which leaves my skin with a nasty rash).

And kids are SURE to love One Man Band who by the way needs no instruments…
While I can make all kinds of noise, It’s ’specially fun to burp.
And when I’ve got some extra time, I also like to slurp.
Sneezing, too, is quite a sound And glorious fun to boot.
But farting is my favorite noise:
There’s nothing like a toot.

I of course noticed the rhythm of a few poems as a bit hard to find, but it’s cool how the author’s note acknowledges some of the stretches. 

Oh please author DeRoche and illustrator Gonzalez let this be the first of many more anthologies. I beg for more!

[Elevetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

*an ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

A silly collection of nonsense and foolishness hitting shelves early next year. Won the Baldersquash award for zany literature.

First off, the formatting in my copy was definitely a bit off, notably in the first section of the book. Some of the verses throughout the whole book seemed off to me, but that could perhaps be just part of the "whimsy" . I doubt it but until I would have a finished print copy, it would be hard to say for sure.

It simply wasn't my cup of tea. The problem was I just didn't enjoy many of the poems; they had no purpose (obviously, because they are nonsense) or much enjoyment for me, and that killed it. I have to like the nonsense! For me, this wasn't a good time.

I liked "Beyond the Gate" the best, but thought it should have ended a few stanzas earlier.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book of poems and tales!

I so enjoyed this book of short stories all done in verse, how amazing. It reminds me so much of Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein. The first tale is called Mary Melissa Miranda McGurk and she could be me! The tales draw you in and wish the book was longer!

[Dasha Slepenkina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

4/5 - Really liked it.

This was a fun book of ridiculously and delightfully whimsical poetry, ranging from the silly and nonsensical to the somewhat dark (but in a good way). This appealed well to my sense of humor and feels like a grown-up version of Shel Silverstein or Dr. Seuss, but with all the childish delight that a book of somewhat irreverent poetry might contain. I enjoyed this - a good, quick read to boost your mood!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very enjoyable collection of poems. Although the content was odd and sometimes sad, it is definitely a book I would read again. The drawings helped enhance the reading experience. I have recommended this to my daughter who is trying to write her own poems with a slightly more macabre tone.

[Enelinda Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT GAVE ME CHUCKLE AND A FEW MADE ME THINK LOL

[Ronald Roseborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes you can enjoy poetry. Try not to smile at these nonsensical rhymes. It brought out the nearly dead poet in me.
Though the book is small,
The words stand tall.
The verse is terse,
Though not the worse.
Far better than freeverse.

The book was provided for review by Kirkus, and Redtail Press.

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a few surprising lines more tuned in to adults then the seemingly younger audience the poems initially lean towards, I enjoyed this small collection of poems and art =)

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read for fun

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very whimsical and fun poetry reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. The illustrations were great and will appeal to fans of Edward Gorey.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see children enjoying this book of poetry. However, most of the poetry wasn’t really my favorite type of humor. There were a few that I did enjoy.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Redtail Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe is like Shel Silverstein meets Lemony Snicket. The poems are often humorous with a deliciously dark twist. The teacher and word nerd in me delighted in the complex vocabulary sprinkled throughout the book. I cannot wait to share this fun poetry collection with my students!

[Elizabeth Veit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. Very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein. I can't wait to use this with my students. My boys will love the silly rhymes and funny stories. Some of the poems are loner, and some are very short. They're all very fun and whimsical. This is the kind of thing that gets kids excited to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the book to review.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner of the Baldersquash Medal honoring the very best in High Falutin Nonsense since its inception in 1894. Past recipients include Shel Silverstein, Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.

"Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe" written by Tim DeRoche and illustrated by Daniel Gonzalez is a book of tall tales told through the medium of poetry. The poems are sure to charm both middle school children and adults alike. The rhymes are clever and the pen and ink drawings are delightful.

Here are a few highlights:

"Mary Melissa Miranda McGurk
was uncommonly fond of homework...
And the easiest way to incur Mary's wrath?
Just switch on the TV when she worked on her math..."
**Too much homework, too much information. Mary's head grew bigger and bigger. Her head exploded...not a pretty sight!

"Mr. Banana, a sensitive fellow,
Took offense when the Carrot called him yellow...
Miss Pepper was insulted not, when the Carrot remarked, "Oh my, you're hot."

"There was never a fish so ambitious
As the one they called Salmon Delicious
"If I must be eaten", he told a friend,
In the mouth of the King will I meet my end."
** But alas-a coup...the King is replaced by a new leader....a vegetarian! What was Salmon to do?

"Mommy, oh Mommy!
Please come to my room,
For a hideous witch
Just rode in on a broom."
** The witch, emerges from the fog, turns Mommy into a frog.

"Bailey O'Bannon hated all that was green.
"I must rid the world of that heinous hue,
For I am partial to red and to blue...
Emeralds, grass, and Ireland too-
All will look better in red and blue..."
** A sales clerk, with a different agenda, switches Bailey's color choice of paint.

A totally fun poetry collection. Highly recommended

Thank you Redtail Press and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Gard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know about you, but I have and will always be a huge fan of highfalutin nonsense and the annual Baldersquash reward has been given to many of my favorite works. So when I was given the opportunity to read and review this upcoming anthology of absurd poems I absolutely jumped at the opportunity.

Every bit of this anthology of odd poems greatly reminded me of Shel Silverstein and Edward Gorey in the absolute best of ways. I truly enjoyed the long form mishaps of the overly studious young girl, Mary Melissa Miranda McGurk, and the short but sweet ‘Twas Meant For You caused me to snort in the most unladylike fashion.

I will say that the rhythm of a few poems were a bit hard to find, but I was very amused by the author’s note that acknowledged some of the stretches.

All in all, I can honestly see this becoming this generation’s A Light in the Attic, and that’s the highest praise I think I can give in this genre.

Thank you so very much to Netgalley and Redtail Press for the opportunity to read and review this upcoming title in exchange of my honest review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new book didn’t win the Baldersquash award by mistake. It’s funny, silly, ridiculous, whimsical, and yet so smart you’ll do a few double takes at both the author and illustrative cleverness.

There is no way around the comparisons to Shel Silverstein, but you’ll be disappointed if you go in expecting this to be a continuation of Mr. Silverstein’s work. It’s not, and that just wouldn’t be fair to any author. Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe stands on its own merits- please give it a chance to be itself.

That being said, it made me feel like a kid again. I did follow it up with a re-read of a Siverstein classic, simply because the joy it built up inside my heart drew me back to a favorite from my childhood. Reading fuels and empowers your brain, and books like this help kids believe that anything is possible. I’ll display it at the library, and highly recommend it.

Grateful thanks to NetGalley and Redtail Press for access to a digital ARC, and to Tim DeRoche and Daniel González for making my heart soar with recollections of my beloved childhood library adventures.

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely do a review for a kid's book much less akin to Lemony Snicket or works of Shel Silverstein. But I do like children's books in general. Sometimes, there's even more meat in reading this kind of literature than adult books.

It is a book that captures the imagination and brings laughter to young readers. With its delightful wit, enchanting verses, and charming illustrations, this collection of poems is a true gem for both children and adults alike.

The author masterfully weaves playful words and clever rhymes together, creating a whimsical world that ignites the imagination. Each poem is a delightful journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it a joy to read aloud or quietly savor. The humor is both sophisticated and accessible, appealing to readers of all ages. Children will be captivated by the catchy rhythms and amusing scenarios, while adults will appreciate the subtle wordplay and clever references.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe is a collection of assorted poetry by author, Tim DeRoche. The poems range from the fantastical, to mundane, to absurdity. As the title and introductory suggests, the writing is whimsical but usually the ending is more woeful than how it began.

Most of the writing is pretty short, only a few poems are actually longer than a page. And each poem is accompanied by an illustration done by Daniel Gonzalez, matching into the whimsical tale told. While I found most of the poetry to be pretty simple, and with a rhyming scheme, a few do stand out. And the ones that stand out tend to be pretty humorous of what pops up. It appears to me the target demographic seems to be children, and I think I can see them getting a laugh out of this as most of these verses seem to written in a child's perspective. Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe is a pretty okay and has some laughable moments for a debut poetry book.

[K. M · Rating 4 out of 5]

:: Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for a honest review ::

3.5 stars :: I can understand why some would compare this to Shel Silverstein but other than the line drawings, there’s nothing to compare - Shel Silverstein usually had a moral to each tale while this is just silly fun and word play.

🎶 The One- Man Band 🎤
While I can make all kinds of noise,
It’s ‘specially fun to burp.
And when I’ve got some extra time,
I also like to slurp.

Sneezing too, is quite a sound
And glorious fun too boot
But farting is my favorite noise:
There’s nothing like a toot.

The pictures alone are worth admission. I could totally see myself buying this just to color in those line illustrations.

[Krista Hajjar-Nejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you R&R Book Tours and Tim DeRoche for the gifted copy and spot on tour!

I was a huge fan of poems growing up! I love to share what I've read with my boys (ages 8 & 5). We've been diving into Shel Silverstein books lately, and when I saw this tour become available, I jumped to be a part of it!

My boys and I read this book of fun poems together and they absolutely loved it! Our favorites were: Carrot Talk, The Story of Salmon Delicious, The Contraption, Family Rock, and The Bear in the Boat. The drawings were creative and were a great touch to these wonderful poems.

Tales of Whimsy, Verses of Woe will have you smiling, laughing, and wanting to read it all in one sitting! Highly recommend for kids ages 5 and up and us older "kids," too!

[Kim Cabrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of the Baldersquash Medal before I read this book, so I had to look it up. It is all about picking the best in “highfalutin’ nonsense.” Check out the author’s Instagram page for more about it. This book certainly qualifies.

It is packed full of zany rhymes, great illustrations, tongue-twisters, and much more fun. This is hilarity at its best. I don’t normally read poetry books, but this one was a hoot! Fans of Shel Silverstein will enjoy this.

Each poem is short and sweet. The drawings are whimsical and just odd enough to appeal to readers of any age. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this one. Highly recommended.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection of verses was so much fun to read. I loved almost all of the poems so much. This book reminded me of the works of Shel Silverstein and others similar to that style that I loved reading when I was a child. I recommend this collection to children and anyone interested in having a good time while reading. I know that I would have loved this book as a child. This will definitely be a book that I will be picking up for my book collection. It was so entertaining.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC of the book. All opinions are my own. *

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's as if Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss had a baby. A fun, nonsensical book of poetry and prose. The drawings are delightful and will be must more appreciated in a print book than via Kindle. This would be a GREAT book for a read aloud to elementary school students.

If your moral character is flimsy
Or your wit be rather slow,
Oh dare not read these tales of whimsy
For often do they end in woe.

Thanks to NetGalley and Redtail Press for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids will love these dark, funny, fantastical poems and illustrations which are guaranteed to have them laughing out loud. Very clever, each one surprised me in some way. This is a great way to introduce kids to poetry - they'll be having so much fun, they won't realize that they're reading an art form that many unfortunately choose to ignore.

Well done, TD!

My thanks to Redtail Press for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via NetGalley. Publication is set for 1/24/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing Poetical Tales

In the style reminiscent of Shel Silverstein, the author presents a book of short poems with amusing illustrations. It was a quick read and quite funny in places.

A winner of the Baldersquash medal, it lives up to it’s name with plenty of nonsense in the verses. Although the book can appeal to adults, I think the read audience is children. Elementary school children love nonsense and the illustrations will definitely appeal to that group

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Shel Silverstein, Tales of Whimsy Verses of Woe from cover to cover and the pages in-between have major Silverstein vibes.

While it is similar, Tales of Whimsy fell a little short for me. Mainly because the poems were hit or miss, like most poetry. While some I found hilarious and laughed out loud, others didn't make the mark.

Some were a bit dark at times, but many had good lessons throughout.

I'm torn between Family Band and The One-Man Band as a favorite.

I really liked the illustrations. Back with the Shel Silverstein vibes. They were fun and added a nice visual effect to the poetry.

Great for children and adults alike with vivid imaginations.