Late for School

by Steve Martin, C.F. Payne (Illustrator)

Getting to school has never been quite this difficult--or hilarious. Celebrated writer and performer Steve Martin and dynamic artist C. F. Payne (illustrator of John Lithgow's children's books) have teamed up to tell a story of the adventure, danger, and laughs of the journey to school. Enclosed with the book is a CD of Martin on banjo and vocals, singing the book's story with a bluegrass twist.

Undoubtedly a new classic for readers of all ages, Late to School is the perfect gift to be read--and listened to--again and again.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, School, Poetry, Fiction, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2010

About the author

Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer. He was raised in Southern California in a Baptist family, where his early influences were working at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and working magic and comedy acts at these and other smaller venues in the area. His ascent to fame picked up when he became a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on the Tonight Show.

In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. In the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, he became a successful actor, playwright, and juggler, and eventually earned Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy awards.

Reviews

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who thought being late for school could be this much fun?

A thoroughly enjoyable musical ride to accompany a mad dash to be on time for school after sleeping in. Mayhem and curses with some incredible acrobatic feats to beat the bell and face the consequences. It's quite a route with some unexpected obstacles and all with a happy ending.

This book is all the more fun as it's got a CD with the story sung to music, all performed by the incomparable Steve Martin and his banjo. It really livens up the excitement and it would make for a great bedtime book.

Great illustrations too by C.F. Payne - the faces are as contorted as the dash and make it all the more fun! My kids would have loved this one!

[Tracee Gleichner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Steve Martin for as long as I can remember. Whether it was “happy feet” or his part in “Two Wild and Crazy Guys” I found him not only extremely funny but extremely talented as well. He had an extremely sucessful comedy career, and extremely successful acting career and an extremely successful music career. So, when I heard that he had become an author (a few years ago) it didn’t really surprise me. I mean, is there anything this man can’t do?

I was offered the chance to review Late for School and I jumped at the chance. Not only is it written by one of my favorite people, but is a kids book as well. So, I grabbed my 5 and 6 year old girls and we sat down and read the story. They liked it but when I told them I was going to put in the CD that came with the book so they could sing along that really got their interest. What a great idea – my 5 year old hasn’t stopped singing pieces of it since…and they both haven’t stopped begging me to play it, over, and over, and over again. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so anxious to review this one, lol! But seriously, the story is really cute but when put to song it really comes to life. And the illustrations are fabulous!

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope the cd is wonderful, because on the initial read without the cd I was really disappointed. The joke is OK, but I like Julie Danenberg's First day Jitters better. I'll post again after I listen to Steve Martin perform it. The C.F. Payne illustrations were nice, particularly the double page spread showing the narrator with a sequence of celebratory facial and body expressions. I can see kids enjoying performing the story in pantomime.

I'm back and now I know it's all about the banjo! I had heard Steve Martin was amazing, but even for someone like me the song is wonderful. I know being from Colorado, listening to KGNU, and even going to the Folks Festival once I should have developed an appreciation for bluegrass, but I never have learned to like strings in that way. Still I could hear the artistry and see why the book/performance works.

[Sid Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it, love the Illustrations. This book actually happened to me! But in my case my brother woke me up, claiming I was LATE FOR SCHOOL! I didn't fly, more like fell and crashed on my bike as I rushed towards school on my bike clipping a curb in my haste. I never got to school and my brother had to fess up to the prank in front of my mother... 40+ years later and were still not even. LOL

I really picked this book up because of the illustrator, C. F. Payne. The CD included with Steve Martin's voice performing the book is great.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very silly. Somewhat addicting. Sung by Steve Martin.

[Cynthia Housianitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture Book Project

Category: Picture Book Soak ("Did Not Really Care For")

Source: Princess Anne Public Library

Steve Martin's picture book, Late for School, takes the reader on a young boy's adventure once he wakes up with the realization that he will be late to school. In order to be on time, he rushes out of the house and dodges obstacles in his neighborhood to make it to class at any cost. His urgency causes many of the silly situations he finds himself in along the way. On his hurried way to school, he jumps a fence, nearly lands in a pool, catches a ride on a kite, and ultimately makes it to school with just a few minutes to spare only to find out that it is really Saturday.

Through Martin’s trademark humor in the writing and the entertaining illustrations, the reader is able to experience the struggles of waking up on time and being ready for an event – especially through the character’s exaggerated facial expressions. However, most of the sayings seem forced when reading it alone. When combined with the sing-along audio version of the picture book that is combined with Martin’s bluegrass music, the reader can better understand the rhyme scheme.

Only when accompanied with the audio version, this picture book can be used in a lyrical poetry lesson to demonstrate how word choice is enhanced through rhyming and rhythm. Teachers can have students describe their own experience of being late to school – everyone has done it at least once before.

[Lydia.walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steve Martin’s Late for School is the story of a boy with a track record of being late for school. One morning he finds that he is about to be late again, and that this would be a very, very bad thing. We follow him as he runs to school. On his way he jumps a fence, nearly lands in a pool, takes a kite to school that crashes into the football field and ultimately makes it to class just before 8:00. Spoiler Alert: It’s Saturday, and he was supposed to go fishing with his Dad. The idea of tension as a literary tool is evident, although fantastical in this writing. We experience his struggle with himself to leave for school on time, his past conflict with his parents for his tardiness, the physical hurdles on his way to school, and ultimately with his personal conflict of knowing what day it is. Martin uses this conflict as a vessel for humor in his writing, and as a teacher I would help students to see that the humor of conflict can have a functional place in writing. Unfortunately, I would probably not choose this book as the example of its functional use.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Martin is an accomplished and noted writer, musician and comedian as well as actor and he brings all of his considerable skills to bear in this story about a furious rush to avoid bad grades and disappointed parents. A rollicking, head-long flight to school is the basis for this funny, frantic and galloping picture book. The illustrations by C.F. Payne make for goofy-looking people with slightly oversized heads, ears and eyes that delightfully exaggerate every expression. The story makes you grin and cheer as you read about this boy racing to beat the clock.

Included with this book is a CD that has Mr. Martin singing the words to the book and playing the banjo with his consummate skill. (His abilities as a banjoist are of many years standing; if you can get one of his early albums featuring his playing, I suggest you do so.) The book also has the words on one sheet in the back, encouraging the reader to sing along with the music. This book delivers in word, picture and song, making it fun for one child or a crowd.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late for School by Steve Martin is a funny rendering of the classic yarn about waking up thinking you are late for school. In the rush to get to school on time, the young boy, jumps a fence, encounters a swimming pool and catches a ride on a kite, making it to school with just a few minutes to spare only to discover that there is no school because it’s SATURDAY! Martin’s trademark humor translates well to children.

The illustrations by C. F. Payne are a great companion to the story. Also included is a CD of Martin playing the banjo and singing the story. Both the book and the CD are perfect “read alouds” that students and adults alike will love.

Recommended for Kindergarten and up.

Mrs. Archer’s rating: 5 of 5

[Bridgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: Primary
Reading level: not found
Genre: Picture Book
Main Characters: boy who is late for school
Setting: suburban neighborhood
POV: boy who is late for school

Steve Martin writes an extended poem of a boy who is late for school--or so he thinks! After rushing to get to school, he realizes it's a Saturday and come back home to go fishing with his Dad. The story is also set to music that can be played.

This is an interesting book. It's a simple reader for younger kids and can be more accessible if sung. I personally wouldn't use it in my class just because I feel like there's isn't a lot of substance to the story. But the illustrations are great and would be best for younger kids.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me the real star of this book is the illustrator C.F. Payne. The story is pretty basic, sometimes the rhyme scheme seemed chunky but apparently it was written to be a song as well. The book comes with a CD but I read this at the library and didn't listen to it, but it is sung my Steve Martin himself which is cool.

Overall, this is neither the best nor the worst celebrity picture book I have read.

Personally, I feel Weird Al's books When I Grow Up and My New Teacher and Me! are the best celebrity picture books out there and have set the bar extremely high.

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy who is consistently late. Each page rhymes as it is written as a poem. The little boy was late so many times to school that his mother became depressed and he was beginning to get into big trouble with school administrators. It has a lot of funny rhymes in it which would make students smile and relate to. They would most likely be able to make many connections to the emotions and experiences of the little boy. In the end, he ends up arriving to school after frantically making his way across town only to find out that it is the weekend and he is now late to go fishing with his father.

Interest Level: k-2
Reading Level: 2.3
Lexile and DRA: Not Available

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is a case of someone getting a book deal because he's already famous.

Did like the banjo--but it wasn't enough. The song is not really one you can sing along with. Pictures were OK. Maybe a little better than OK but this book just didn't do it for me and I don't really see many kids clamoring for this one. Maybe I'm wrong.



OK. I'm listening to just the instrumental track on the CD that came with the book. THAT I love. Fun bluegrass. I wonder if you can download it (LEGALLY) anywhere ...

[Kim Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Steve Martin does not disappoint. What makes Late For School great is the cd and Martin’s recorded version of the story. The pictures are very entertaining as well. Kids will love this and might even sing along. Word choice is great. Vocabulary can be explored as well as rhyming and rhythm.

I recommended Late For School to a sixth grade language arts teacher to use in a lyrical poetry lesson. She said it was terrific! Even her "too-cool-for-school" sixth graders were trying to keep up with Martin on the cd. Great, fun activity in the poetry lesson plans!

[Phylicia Bohannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical about reading a book written by a celebrity, but I'm glad I did. It provided a comic relief to the seriousness of waking up and knowing you're going to be late for something, in this case, school. It's also in song format, so that makes it even more engaging. It tells the story of how the young boy goes through so many obsacles to get to school on time, such as jumping fences, flying on a kite, and dealing with swimming pools. The boy makes it to school in time, but there's a plot twist at the end, there's no school because it's Saturday. It was purely entertaining.

[Lisa Ard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book following the lyrics of Steve Martin's banjo tune. The illustrations are quite nice. The book included a CD with two versions of the song. On the first, Steve Martin sings and plays the song; on the second, just the tune plays so readers can try to sing along. I did find that the pagination didn't always work with the rhyming, so the CD was helpful for that reason. Listen to the CD several times and follow along with the book for the most enjoyment.

[Julie Darling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rhyming, but seems like the author is trying a little too hard to keep the rhyming and still make the story cohesive at the same time. This is meant to be a funny book, but kind of misses the mark. Exaggerated facial expressions from the characters again meant to be funny, but struck me as kind of scary on a few of the pages.

[Stefani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I love Steve Martin, but this book was mediocre for me. I couldn't get the rhythm of the story without the cd. While the cd and music are fun, the reading goes quickly, often not leaving time for page turns. Predictable, with the occasional forced rhymes. The only part I really liked was listening to Steve Martin singing it, which didn't mesh too well with the book.

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have nothing but love for Steve Martin, truly I do. But, this can only be enjoyed with the CD playing while you turn the pages. Trying to read this on your own will have you stumbling through the supposed rhymes. I wish more time was spent on writing a quality funny book that flowed easily when reading it aloud, instead of forcing rhymes together for the sake of creating a music CD.

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations that is the best part of this book. The story is actually quite cute though it doesn't flow really well for me. The book I had came with a CD and Steve Martin (yes thee Steve martin) sing the story on the CD. Kids will love it but it goes by really quickly that way and you might have to do it twice.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations that is the best part of this book. The story is actually quite cute though it doesn't flow really well for me. The book I had came with a CD and Steve Martin (yes thee Steve martin) sing the story on the CD. Kids will love it but it goes by really quickly that way and you might have to do it twice.

[Darrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Share this book with kindergarten students up to third graders. Students will find it hilarious at the obstacles this little boy overcomes as he races to get to school. When he finally arrives he realizes that it is Saturday. This book has a fun rhyme scheme and is sure to keep students excited about the next big thing the child encounters

[Kixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Late for School includes a CD with Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin), the author, singing the book as a song. A boy takes some wild twists and turns trying to get to school only to realize he's come on the wrong day. But that's great, he'd been running behind, and now he can get to class on time on Monday.

[P.M. Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children’s book, told in rhyme, with illustrations by C.F. Payne.

The text of this book is/are actually the lyrics of a song by the same name by Martin, appearing on his 2009 bluegrass album The Crow: New Songs for the Five String Banjo. It’s a fun, jokey little song, and it makes for a fun, jokey little book!

[Sara Houser · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked up late for school I never would have thought it was written in poem. The pros on Steve martins children's book were the beautiful illustrations. The cons were the poems. They start out ok but some of them just seem like they don't fit. As for the cd I have not heard it so I will have to redo my review after I hear it with the book but as for right now I stand at three stars.

[ReadingWench · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. I loved the illustrations, however the rhyme in it seemed...forced. I did not listen to the CD in it. 2 stars for the text, but I am giving it 3 stars because I liked the illustrations.

AR 2.9

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that the story is just okay without the banjo music. I have not listened to the CD yet, but I am looking forward to it. The premise is funny and the illustrations are classic C.F. Payne; it reminds me of all the back covers of the Reader's Digest magazines he illustrated.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny. It came with a cd to listen to the song written by author Steve Martin. The illustration were reminicent of Norman Rockwell. It is a fast moving book with the whole lyrics included to play along with the cd. I'm a big Steve Martin fan so it hit a homerun with me.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Late for School by Steve Martin is a song. It could be used to teach poetry, about it is about a familiar topic for our students. I really like the fact that the book comes with a CD of the song. It makes it fun for the students to read (sing) along, and is great to use with my ESL students.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy finds adventure, danger, and fun as he races around the house and through the neighborhood in order to make it to school on time. www.hcpl.net

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