Barry Louis Polisar Knihy

Uprooted from their homes and torn away from their families, the men in the hull of the Amistad are chained together. At home, Sengbe was a father and a husband. But now, to those who have captured him and taken him from Africa, he is just a slave. Sengbe manages to free himself and the others on board. They gain control of the ship–but will they be able to take control of their destiny?  This is a true story on a sensitive topic written especially for younger readers and skillfully told by four-time Parents Choice Award winning author Barry Louis Polisar.  “Polisar has told the story of the Amistad slave rebellion, giving it a personal face and tackling his subject with compassion and understanding. He deftly explores a difficult subject in an illuminating and positive way, conveying what it is like to be unable to speak freely. Polisar subtly shows how speech can be a tool in the service of justice; when Sengbe and his fellow captives are unable to speak, that injustice comes across in the story just as strongly as the physical chains that bind them. This is an engaging children’s story and one that deserves to be told as skillfully as Polisar tells it.”– Susan Vaillant, Library Information Specialist

Ben gets in trouble because he is different from everyone else but the problem is–Ben is a bear. It’s just that no one notices because they are too busy trying to get him to be like everyone else. And what does he get in trouble for? Well, for things that any bear would do–like falling asleep at his desk during the cold winter months when he should be hibernating. Ben tries to conform – but the results are disastrous until he realizes that he must be true to himself. And then a funny thing happens; his classmates start trying to be like him….a wonderful story that illustrates the need to see children for who they are and a perfect book for teaching about individuality.

Featuring a cast of humorously depicted dinosaurs, this book presents a whimsical take on prehistoric life. Notable characters include the Rockadopolis Rex, styled like Elvis Presley, and the Brontesaurus Sisters, named after famous authors. The Orthodontosaurus stands out as a wealthy reptile known for its perfect bite. Accompanied by charming black and white illustrations, the narrative combines wit and creativity, making it an entertaining read for paleontology enthusiasts and dinosaur fans alike.

Barry Louis Polisar has re-told the Passover story in this brand new Haggadah that not only tells the story, but gives the background on the spiritual origins of the holiday traditions. Explaining each ritual in a simple and straight-forward way, this Haggadah includes both the English, Hebrew and phonetic pronunciations of the holiday prayers, so that everyone gathered around the table can participate in the Seder; a welcoming and inclusive adaptation that captures the spirit of the holiday without compromising tradition. This book features original full-color illustrations by Barry’s daughter, Sierra.

Exploring themes of murder, deceit, and treachery, this collection presents 13 retold stories from the Hebrew Bible through the eyes of secondary characters like Eve, Cain, Esau, and Noah's wife. Author Barry Louis Polisar draws on the classic Talmudic tradition, offering a nuanced perspective that uncovers deeper truths and spiritual insights within the familiar Biblical narratives. The interweaving tales invite readers to reconsider well-known events and the often overlooked voices that shape them.

The book features whimsical and humorous song lyrics by Barry Louis Polisar, capturing the chaotic world of mischievous children, quirky babysitters, and fantastical creatures. Accompanied by David Clark's vibrant illustrations, this collection showcases Polisar's talent for storytelling through music, appealing to both children and adults. His work has been recognized in various prestigious platforms, highlighting his unique blend of humor and irreverence that resonates with audiences. This edition celebrates Polisar as a beloved figure in children's entertainment.

Barry Louis Polisar established a national reputation for his original and satirical songs about real kids and their concerns. From “I Don’t Wanna Go To School” to the classic “Don’t Put Your Finger up Your Nose”, here are Barry’s best-known songs printed in clear, bold type with accompanying sheet music and chords. Also included in this 30th anniversary edition are original line drawings by Michael G. Stewart taken from the original book. Newsweek Magazine reported on its original “These could be the glory days of children’s music.” The Co-Evolution Quarterly declared its author a “clown, minstrel, first-class lunatic and the best kind of outrageous and irreverent all under the license of being irrepressibly funny. Kids–big and little–love him….he’s well worth selling all your child psychology books for.”

This collaboration between Barry Louis Polisar and illustrator David Clark is a long awaited sequel to Barry’s earlier collections of poems, Peculiar Zoo and Insect Soup.  From the echidna with its two-foot-long tongue and the flying paradise snake of Borneo, to common earthworms and houseflies, this collection even includes, the most curious of all creatures, man.

This collaboration between Barry Louis Polisar and illustrator David Clark is a long awaited sequel to Barry’s three earlier collections of poems, Peculiar Zoo, Curious Creatures and Insect Soup. This time the poems are about creatures that live in–or by–the water and many of the poems work on multiple levels. Polisar writes about everything from the Pot Bellied Sea Horse to the Sweetlips Fish; the poems are smart and fun. The book ends with a delightful homage to one of Gerard Manley Hopkins poems and the artwork by David Clark is done in vivid colors that seem to jump right off the page. Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Review said these “well-crafted poems and illustrations make this book a must” and Pen Pals & Picture Books wrote “the poems are clever and delightful, the illustrations are expressive and hilarious.”

A Parents’ Guide Award-Winning Book! The winner of the Parents’ Guide Award for Outstanding Children’s Books, this long awaited sequel to Barry’s animal bestiary is a brand new collection of wonderfully witty poems about the funniest bugs on the planet. From the praying mantis to chiggers, kids will discover that the weird and wacky bugs are the most fun. Even the dung beetle, brilliantly illustrated in a tuxedo with formal serving tray, finally gets the recognition he deserves. An index of the featured creatures rounds out the fun with descriptions of each bug and noted entomological characteristics.  As First Coast Parent Magazine writes, “If you’re not familiar with Barry Polisar’s enchanting yet loony brand of children’s poetry, try his books. There’s nothing sugary about Polisar’s writing. Zany and sophisticated, Polisar’s poetry is a great way to show the child interested in poetry how much fun you can have writing verse. But it’s also an education about the topic of his rhymes.He concludes the book with dictionary definitions of each insect. The illustrations from chiggers to cockroaches to ticks are excellent.”