Sipping Spiders Through a Straw: Campfire Songs for Monsters

DiPucchio, Kelly. 2008. SIPPING SPIDERS THROUGH A STRAW: CAMPFIRE SONGS FOR MONSTERS. Ill. by Gris Grimly. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439584012 [Suggested Grade Levels 2-4]

REVIEW
In “Weird Al Yankovic” style, the author DiPucchio takes classic, beloved campfire songs/poems and converts the lyrics to scary, silly and zany sing-alongs. The original words are quickly forgotten and the amusing new songs are those that elementary students and teachers will continue to hum throughout the day and night. From ‘Home of the Strange’ (grunted to the tune of ‘Home, Home on the Range’) to ‘Blow, Blow, Blow Your Nose!’ (sniveled to the tune of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’) this grossly creative and monstrously illustrated book is a slimy addition to the poetry section; whereas, you will find the adults chuckling at the flavorful words and the children impressed by the ‘grown ups’ who really do know disgusting versions of campfire tunes.

CONNECTIONS
When time honored songs and poems are stripped down to just the melody and new “stinky, icky” words seem to roll off the tongue, what kind of fun can we have? Parodying the traditional lyrics can occur with lessons allowing students to create their own versions of songs. Think of all the fun that can be had with the revamp of ‘A Camping We Will Go’ (shrieked to the tune of ‘The Farmer and the Dell’).

RELATED BOOKS
Other humorous songs/poetry books:
Katz, Alan. TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB AND OTHER SILLY DILLY SONGS. ISBN 9780689829031
Katz, Alan. WHERE DID THEY HIDE MY PRESENTS? ISBN 9781416968306
Silverstein, Shel. DON’T BUMP THE GLUMP AND OTHER FANTASIES. ISBN 9780061493386

By Kathlene A. Goldin