Customer Reviews

The Blood-Hungry Spleen and Other Poems About Our Parts

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I taught school, I was always looking for an entertaining way to trick my students into learning, into becoming inspired, and "The Blood-Hungry Spleen" would have been a huge hit -- if only I was still teaching! Not only is it amusing and educational to young children on a basic level about their anatomy (seriously, did you ever think about spit having a purpose, other than helping you look cool in a dugout?), it helps teachers and parents broach subjects they may have difficulty with. And, yes, very clever poetry!

This is a gem! So fun, you'd never know how much you're learning (about your body AND different styles of poetry). My favorite poem is "A Sad Tale, or Hey, Who Stole My Seat?" (hint: the illustration is a bandit running away with a derriere tucked under his arm). I encourage you and everyone you know to check it out (an excellent present for any child you know -- and the child in anyone you know -- and appreciatives of fine writing). And these days everyone can use some extra giggles and grins.

My just-turned-4-year-old absolutely adores this book. No, the writing isn't amazing or original. Most of it is just conveniently rhymed verse. There are, however, a few good, well-written poems in the book. But my son loves every part of it, and I enjoy reading it to him. It's fun and silly. The author is definitely creative and entertaining. So while it's not great literature, it still gets 5 stars from my son and me.

Great fun for kids learning about their bodies. Shows how gross can be funny and beautiful.

My child and I had the good fortune to see Mr. Wolf perform at a library where he read from this book, and others! I was so impressed by his show that I bought this book for my child who LOVES it! It truly makes the body interesting and fun.....captivating to children!! Thank you so much!

When I taught school, I was always looking for an entertaining way to trick my students into learning, into becoming inspired, and "The Blood-Hungry Spleen" would have been a huge hit -- if only I was still teaching! Not only is it amusing and educational to young children on a basic level about their anatomy (seriously, did you ever think about spit having a purpose, other than helping you look cool in a dugout?), it helps teachers and parents broach subjects they may have difficulty with. And, yes, very clever poetry!

"The Blood Hungry Spleen" succeeds quite nicely in making learning about the different parts of the body fun. The poems are just silly enough to induce lots of giggles from kids (while teaching them - how sneaky!). The text is written in language that is easy for kids to grasp from a very young age, without ever being condescending.

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

This is a book that parents and kids can enjoy together.

"The Blood Hungry Spleen" succeeds quite nicely in making learning about the different parts of the body fun. The poems are just silly enough to induce lots of giggles from kids (while teaching them - how sneaky!). The text is written in language that is easy for kids to grasp from a very young age, without ever being condescending.

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

This is a book that parents and kids can enjoy together.

Who in the world is this book for? The only answer I, and
evidently the author and publisher can come up with, is
children who will always giggle when they hear the parts
of the body. And the bodily functions.
And this book gets really clever; it names the
body parts. Yep. Kendra and Kenneth.
Guess who they are. Poetry?! Not an ounce of poetry is
found in this book. A true disappointment.

This book falls way below the standards of good writing
or good reading. It's disappointing and frankly, unoriginal.
Poems intertwined with potty humor and so obviously done
so for book sales.