Dem Bones [Hardcover]

Bob Barner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Shoulder bone connected to da neck bone
Neck bone connected to da head bone
Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones

Colorful torn paper collages bring to life this classic African American spiritual. The frolicking skeletons will captivate children and adults while they sing along with this well-known, catchy song. Accompanied by interesting, informative "bone facts" this book makes a wonderful addition to both home and classroom libraries and a fun treat for Halloween!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using a classic African American spiritual as a springboard, Barner dives gleefully into this clever anatomy lesson. Enthusiastic members of a skeleton band cavort across the pages, strumming guitars, blowing horns and otherwise helping to establish a spirited tone while imparting bits of relevant information. Each line from the song is given its own spread; text blocks set into the illustrations give related facts. For the lyric "Leg bone connected to da knee bone," for example, readers learn that the knee joint "works like a hinge," enabling one to "kick, jump, squat, and dance." The particular bone in question is always highlighted in red on the skeleton, leaving no room for doubt. Splashed across a series of bright backdrops (Halloween colors predominate), Barner's (Benny's Pennies) cut- and torn-paper collages are geared for tickling the funny bones of the early elementary set. Just about the only thing lacking here is the musical notation for a sing-along. No bones about it, this will be a real boost for those looking to inject a little humor and fun into basic facts about the human body. Ages 2-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Descriptions of skeletal structures are interspersed with the words of the traditional African American spiritual, "Dem Bones." Leg bones, ankle bones, and neck bones are described in medical terminology and their structures are explained in simple terms for young readers. Subtle humor is helpful in explaining some of the concepts ("The skull is like a box that grows."). The colorful paper collage illustrations add humor and feature dancing, smiling skeletons playing instruments in accompaniment to the lyrics. This could be enjoyed as a picture book, using just the lyrics, but it works just as well as easy nonfiction.
Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811808270
• ISBN-13: 978-0811808279
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Homeschool Resource March 18, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I homeschool my elementary age children and we used this book when studying our body. It is a fun book to read and the information provided about each of the bones is suitable for elementary age level.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Bob Barner book May 13, 2002

By Ariel Pawlak

Format:Hardcover

I picked up this book for almost three year old daughter because we loved Bob Barner's Fish Wish. My daughter learned so much about the ocean from that book and I thought Dem Bones would give her an introduction to the body. The book follows an old African folk song called Dem Bones. "The ankle bone is conneced to the foot bone, the foot bone is connected to the leg bone" and so on. Since my daughter is so young I just sing the song to her and point out the bones on her body as we see the corresponding ones on the skeletons in the book. If you have an older child there is much more in depth information about the bones provided on each page. That is why I love Bob barner's books so much. My daughter can follow along the simple to read stories now and when she gets older I can go over the more informative parts with her later. She has already learned a great deal from this book and she really loves it. Bob Barner really makes learning fun.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We love this book! January 10, 2002

By Kelly Bennett

Format:Hardcover

This book offers a wonderful introduction to the bone structure of the human body, even for very young children (my 3 year old daughter and niece just love this book). The use of fun, bright skeletons appeals to the reader and balances the use of scientific language in the text. Even mom and dad will learn a thing or two while reading it! You'll have your kids singing Dem Bones (the foot bone connected to the ankle bone, etc.) before you know it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a FUN way to learn about the human body! September 20, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

We bought this book because my boys thought it would be "Scary". They were delighted to find out it was about the bones of the human body. My kindergartener can't wait to share it with his teacher! The text has to be simplified at times for younger children, but the scientific names are a GREAT learning experience (even for older children). Look closely-you'll see more in the illustrations each time you look at the book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dem Bones April 16, 2002

By Suby Wallace

Format:Hardcover

As an elementary school librarian, I used this book with my classes. We sang the song as we turned the pages. Then, at the end we laughed about the names of the bones and practiced ways of using the "real" names. 1) Go to the nurse after you skinned your knee on the playground and ask for a bandaid to put on your patella; 2) You stub your toe and grab it and moan, "Oh, I stubbed my phlanges", etc.

Kids from K through 5th grade enjoyed this! Lots of fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD ANATOMY LESSON FOR YOUNGSTERS July 5, 2009

By Gail Cooke HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In addition to this being an eye-popping fun book to look at with all of Barner's dancing, wriggling collages, it is a clear lesson in anatomy for youngsters.

Picking up on the theme of the song we all know so well, Barner shows how "Dem Bones" are connected and how they work for us.

Smiles and education all in one package!

5.0 out of 5 stars Singalong science October 11, 2012

By M. Heiss

Format:Hardcover

The book uses the song to highlight each portion (in red) of the skeleton and give useful information about that part.

"The foot bones are the basement of your skeleton... Because the ankle bone swivels, it allows the foot to flex...The leg bone is actually two bones, the tibia and the fibula..." It's great information and it will have your kids flexing all their body parts to feel the bones inside.

The illustrations are paper collage. Paper. Collage. Now go back and look at them again. Paper collage. Incredible.

The boogie-woogie skeletons sing the "Dem Bones" song. At the end of the book, a skeleton poses and there are some bones labeled.

Check out the back cover.

Well done, Bob Barner, well done.

5.0 out of 5 stars educational and catchy February 11, 2012

By Rory'smom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

the animated song was on tv for a few months and after they discontinued it, my son was heartbroken. we got him the book, and he loves to sing- er, read it. to him, it's fun and silly but he has also learned various bones. he impressed the doctor at his last visit when he told her the bones from his toes to his head.