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I am a Pole
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2012)"The sad thing is, I like it" - Maurice Sendak
"The perfect gift to give a child or grandchild for their high school or college graduation.
Also Father's Day.
Also, other times."
- Stephen Colbert
"The perfect gift to give a child or grandchild for their high school or college graduation.
Also Father's Day.
Also, other times."
- Stephen Colbert
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2012
9 people are currently reading
3589 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Colbert
41 books1,367 followersStephen Tyrone Colbert is an American comedian, satirist, actor, and writer known for his ironic style, particularly in his portrayal of uninformed opinion leaders and deadpan comedic delivery.
Colbert originally studied to be an actor, but became interested in improvisational theater when he met famed Second City director Del Close while attending Northwestern University. He first performed professionally as an understudy for Steve Carell at Second City Chicago; among his troupe mates were comedians Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris, with whom he developed the critically-acclaimed sketch comedy series Exit 57.
Colbert also wrote and performed on the short-lived Dana Carvey Show before collaborating with Sedaris and Dinello again on the cult television series Strangers with Candy. He gained considerable attention for his role on the latter as closeted, gay history teacher Chuck Noblet. It was his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central's news-parody series The Daily Show, however, that first introduced him to a wide audience.
In 2005, he left The Daily Show to host a spin-off series, The Colbert Report. Following The Daily Show's news-parody concept, The Colbert Report styles itself as a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor. Since its debut, the series has been successful, establishing itself as one of Comedy Central's highest-rated series, earning Colbert three Emmy nominations and an invitation to perform as featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2006. Colbert was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2006. His book, I Am America And So Can You was No. 1 on The New York Times Bestseller List.
Colbert originally studied to be an actor, but became interested in improvisational theater when he met famed Second City director Del Close while attending Northwestern University. He first performed professionally as an understudy for Steve Carell at Second City Chicago; among his troupe mates were comedians Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris, with whom he developed the critically-acclaimed sketch comedy series Exit 57.
Colbert also wrote and performed on the short-lived Dana Carvey Show before collaborating with Sedaris and Dinello again on the cult television series Strangers with Candy. He gained considerable attention for his role on the latter as closeted, gay history teacher Chuck Noblet. It was his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central's news-parody series The Daily Show, however, that first introduced him to a wide audience.
In 2005, he left The Daily Show to host a spin-off series, The Colbert Report. Following The Daily Show's news-parody concept, The Colbert Report styles itself as a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as Bill O'Reilly's The O'Reilly Factor. Since its debut, the series has been successful, establishing itself as one of Comedy Central's highest-rated series, earning Colbert three Emmy nominations and an invitation to perform as featured entertainer at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2006. Colbert was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2006. His book, I Am America And So Can You was No. 1 on The New York Times Bestseller List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 460 reviews
May 26, 2012
Take a look at the cover.
There is a silver "Caldecott Eligible Book" medallion featuring soaring eagles and Colbert riding a flying pig, a quote by Maurice Sendak, and a drawing of what appears to be a happy tapeworm. If any of this makes you smile, you should probably enjoy the rest of the book.
Open the cover and you'll find a sweet story about a pole's journey of self discovery. This pole is no lazy layabout; he is looking for a job, and most of the book is taken up with his attempts at various pole-related employment - the North Pole, a barber pole, a Gallup poll calling folks during the dinner hour, and of course, a stripper pole.
There are plenty of Colbertisms scattered throughout to please the true devotees, and a very Colbertific (Colbertgasmic?) ending.
I'm thinking this thing was cobbled together after Sendak's appearance on the Report in January. It does have a rather slapdash appearance, but it's a fun few minutes for Colbert fans.
Now, to wrap it up and give it to my son as a graduation present. I think he'll like this more than Oh, the Places You'll Go!. After all, this one has a stripper.
There is a silver "Caldecott Eligible Book" medallion featuring soaring eagles and Colbert riding a flying pig, a quote by Maurice Sendak, and a drawing of what appears to be a happy tapeworm. If any of this makes you smile, you should probably enjoy the rest of the book.
Open the cover and you'll find a sweet story about a pole's journey of self discovery. This pole is no lazy layabout; he is looking for a job, and most of the book is taken up with his attempts at various pole-related employment - the North Pole, a barber pole, a Gallup poll calling folks during the dinner hour, and of course, a stripper pole.
There are plenty of Colbertisms scattered throughout to please the true devotees, and a very Colbertific (Colbertgasmic?) ending.
I'm thinking this thing was cobbled together after Sendak's appearance on the Report in January. It does have a rather slapdash appearance, but it's a fun few minutes for Colbert fans.
Now, to wrap it up and give it to my son as a graduation present. I think he'll like this more than Oh, the Places You'll Go!. After all, this one has a stripper.
May 25, 2012
I read this book in a bookstore yesterday, never intending to read it, but my son's girlfriend picked it up and started reading it out loud. Before I knew it, we were both reading it out loud and laughing. In fact, we laughed at every page, at the witty wording, at the concept of the pole searching for its purpose, at the just plain fun silliness, and at the well done illustrations. It was in short, and it is a very short book, a delightful surprise shared with one of my favorite people in one of my favorite places. No one was more shocked than I that I loved this crazy little book. Of course, I'm a sucker for the playfulness of language, which this book has in spades. Again, I never expected to like such a book by Colbert, but I must give credit where credit is due, and Colbert is due much credit for providing a welcome relief to the seriousness of life and the world. As Maurice Sendak's blurb states at the top of the book, "The sad thing is, I like it!" No, I didn't buy the book, but I know that I will end up doing so. Serendipity defined!
June 24, 2017
“The perfect gift to give a child or grandchild for their high school or college graduation. Also, Father’s Day. Also, other times.”-Stephen Colbert
I love the inherent Colbertness this book exudes. It's about well...a pole. A pole who is trying to find his role (see that rhymes!) in life. He sees his fellow poles all getting ahead in life but is unable to find his own niche (the less said about his summer spent strung out with the telephone poles the better).
Not for kids but incredibly silly and good fun.
I love the inherent Colbertness this book exudes. It's about well...a pole. A pole who is trying to find his role (see that rhymes!) in life. He sees his fellow poles all getting ahead in life but is unable to find his own niche (the less said about his summer spent strung out with the telephone poles the better).
Not for kids but incredibly silly and good fun.
May 9, 2012
Stephen Colbert's gem is a tribute to Maurice Sendak...
Simply put, Stephen Colbert's I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) is the funniest under 10-minute read that I've thumbed through and then read this year... and maybe last year as well!
Like the best of Colbert's work, this one offers a preposterous concept in a very straight-faced tongue-in-cheek way that artfully lampoons children's books, politics and pop culture even as it embraces it. Page after page (OK, there are only 32 pages here), Colbert's prose entertains, and Paul Hildebrand's witty illustrations just amplify the words we find as we first flip through this book, then go into it again, looking for depth and then discovering that it's just pure Colbert. And that's exactly what makes it so good.
Warning: put your coffee down as you read this book, unless you want a messed up shirt.
Right there on the cover and the dust jacket is perhaps the finest endorsement that this truly witty book could have, one written by the late Maurice Sendak:
"The sad thing is, I like it!"
~ Maurice Sendak
Coincidently, Maurice Sendak passed away on May 8th, and one can only wish and think that he's out there, chuckling to himself, as he had his own part to play in the making of this book, and is acknowledged as such with the special thanks that Colbert posted within.
This reader was first alerted to this this book in a January 2012 video clip on The Colbert Report, one where the late author and illustrator Maurice Sendak was being interviewed by Stephen Colbert on the current state of children's books ("The Cow That Jumped Over The Moon? That's physically impossible!"), and the largely non-political segment was hilarious. Sendak said that anything by Dr. Seuss was good, and that he liked Curious George.
As the interview went on, Colbert noted that many celebrities were cashing in on children's books and that he wanted in. He asked: "What does it take for a celebrity to make a successful book?"
Maurice Sendak's reply was a classic: "You've started already by being an idiot."
Sendak gave Colbert some outrageous advice on how to publish a book, which included a truly a hilarious tutorial on how to draw a pole. Fortunately for us, those images appear within the book... a fitting tribute to the wit and genius of Maurice Sendak.
Like many others, this reader took first Colbert's book to be another tongue-in-cheek parody, another jab at popular culture. But then in February, Colbert and Grand Central Books announced that the book would be published in May. When I saw that, I'll admit that I had to order the hardbound edition here... and am glad that I did.
It should be noted that Tom Hanks narrates the audiobook version of the story, I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) on CD, complete with a PDF of images from the book. Colbert and Hanks will be donating 100% of the money they receive for the reading of this audio recording to U.S. Vets (United States Veterans Initiative). That was enough for me, so I had to order that version as well.
And note the silver Caldecott Eligible seal on the cover as can be seen in the book jacket here... with a flying pig and all!
So who should get this book? Who should read it? When I started to post this review, Amazon asked me: "Are you over 13? Yes/No". There is one particular segment where an eyebrow (or two) might be raised among the politically correct, but that's up to individual tastes, and I'm not dropping any spoilers. In any case, this book would be a perfect Father's Day gift regardless of your political bent, as there's a surprisingly patriotic side to part of Colbert's new book.
This one is a 5-star read for those who can see beyond politics and enjoy a book for kids of all ages, as long as they're 13 or over. And if any of my relatives or close friends happen to be reading this, now you know what you'll be getting as a gift from me on that appropriate occasion.
Note: this review originally appeared on Amazon.com on May 8, 2012.
Versions referenced:
• I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) [Hardcover]
• I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) [Audio CD]
The Kindle edition can be found through either of the above links.
5/9/2012
Simply put, Stephen Colbert's I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) is the funniest under 10-minute read that I've thumbed through and then read this year... and maybe last year as well!
Like the best of Colbert's work, this one offers a preposterous concept in a very straight-faced tongue-in-cheek way that artfully lampoons children's books, politics and pop culture even as it embraces it. Page after page (OK, there are only 32 pages here), Colbert's prose entertains, and Paul Hildebrand's witty illustrations just amplify the words we find as we first flip through this book, then go into it again, looking for depth and then discovering that it's just pure Colbert. And that's exactly what makes it so good.
Warning: put your coffee down as you read this book, unless you want a messed up shirt.
Right there on the cover and the dust jacket is perhaps the finest endorsement that this truly witty book could have, one written by the late Maurice Sendak:
"The sad thing is, I like it!"
~ Maurice Sendak
Coincidently, Maurice Sendak passed away on May 8th, and one can only wish and think that he's out there, chuckling to himself, as he had his own part to play in the making of this book, and is acknowledged as such with the special thanks that Colbert posted within.
This reader was first alerted to this this book in a January 2012 video clip on The Colbert Report, one where the late author and illustrator Maurice Sendak was being interviewed by Stephen Colbert on the current state of children's books ("The Cow That Jumped Over The Moon? That's physically impossible!"), and the largely non-political segment was hilarious. Sendak said that anything by Dr. Seuss was good, and that he liked Curious George.
As the interview went on, Colbert noted that many celebrities were cashing in on children's books and that he wanted in. He asked: "What does it take for a celebrity to make a successful book?"
Maurice Sendak's reply was a classic: "You've started already by being an idiot."
Sendak gave Colbert some outrageous advice on how to publish a book, which included a truly a hilarious tutorial on how to draw a pole. Fortunately for us, those images appear within the book... a fitting tribute to the wit and genius of Maurice Sendak.
Like many others, this reader took first Colbert's book to be another tongue-in-cheek parody, another jab at popular culture. But then in February, Colbert and Grand Central Books announced that the book would be published in May. When I saw that, I'll admit that I had to order the hardbound edition here... and am glad that I did.
It should be noted that Tom Hanks narrates the audiobook version of the story, I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) on CD, complete with a PDF of images from the book. Colbert and Hanks will be donating 100% of the money they receive for the reading of this audio recording to U.S. Vets (United States Veterans Initiative). That was enough for me, so I had to order that version as well.
And note the silver Caldecott Eligible seal on the cover as can be seen in the book jacket here... with a flying pig and all!
So who should get this book? Who should read it? When I started to post this review, Amazon asked me: "Are you over 13? Yes/No". There is one particular segment where an eyebrow (or two) might be raised among the politically correct, but that's up to individual tastes, and I'm not dropping any spoilers. In any case, this book would be a perfect Father's Day gift regardless of your political bent, as there's a surprisingly patriotic side to part of Colbert's new book.
This one is a 5-star read for those who can see beyond politics and enjoy a book for kids of all ages, as long as they're 13 or over. And if any of my relatives or close friends happen to be reading this, now you know what you'll be getting as a gift from me on that appropriate occasion.
Note: this review originally appeared on Amazon.com on May 8, 2012.
Versions referenced:
• I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) [Hardcover]
• I Am A Pole (And So Can You!) [Audio CD]
The Kindle edition can be found through either of the above links.
5/9/2012
February 7, 2018
Cute, funny, short but forgettable read. If you have a spare 5 minutes give it a shot.
June 4, 2012
Ok, the illustrations were terrible, but it was still hilarious. Please note that this book should be shelved along with "Go the F*** to Sleep" as a picture book for adults. I'm sure a bunch of bookstores are tossing this one in the kiddie section without thought--so be sure to listen closely for little voices asking, "Mommy, what's a stripper pole?"
May 7, 2012
Not for children, but darn hilarious! You really have to see it to really understand.
Here is a link to an interview between Colbert and Maurice Sendak.
Part 1
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colb...
Part 2
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colb...
Go!!! Watch these and then go find the book.
Here is a link to an interview between Colbert and Maurice Sendak.
Part 1
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colb...
Part 2
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colb...
Go!!! Watch these and then go find the book.
May 9, 2012
Funny. Poignant with the Sendak inserts to include a blurb on the front cover and an illustration in the back of the book. Stephen Colbert does what good satirists do--poke fun without being necessarily cruel. The overall message seems to be to present a celebrity book that aims to take itself a little too seriously.
July 4, 2012
My boys and I noticed this book in the new arrivals section at the library. I figured it was not kid friendly because Colbert wrote it, but after flipping through the book it looked like a funny book about a pole who doesn't know who he is and later discovers he is a flag pole-- the best kind of pole.
What I WASN'T prepared for was a picture of a nearly naked g-string clad STRIPPER on a stripper pole halfway through the book. Seriously. 1 star might seem harsh, but any book that makes me have a porn talk with my kids afterwards gets no stars from me! Dang you Colbert!!!
What I WASN'T prepared for was a picture of a nearly naked g-string clad STRIPPER on a stripper pole halfway through the book. Seriously. 1 star might seem harsh, but any book that makes me have a porn talk with my kids afterwards gets no stars from me! Dang you Colbert!!!
May 14, 2012
I think a lot of the one star reviews for this book are missing the point. If you're not a hardcore fan of the show, you will not "get it." Also, it's not supposed to be a children's book. So get over that quickly.
I thought it was a very well done spoof, but I'm only giving it four out of five stars because I didn't actually laugh out loud. I have higher hopes for Colbert's book coming out in October, America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't.
I thought it was a very well done spoof, but I'm only giving it four out of five stars because I didn't actually laugh out loud. I have higher hopes for Colbert's book coming out in October, America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't.
May 8, 2012
This took me about 5 minutes to read and is totally worth the $9 bucks I spent. Hysterical! I'm still laughing. If you aren't familiar with Stephen Colbert...watch his show "The Colbert Report". In this spoof of a children's picture book, he gives a funny account of the Pole's search for the perfect job. Make sure to read the book cover to cover. If you don't, you may miss a joke.
June 29, 2012
Not really a children's book since at one point the pole is a strip pole. But it was funny, clever and cute.
January 24, 2013
I think the stripper pole was my favorite part. Along with Maurice Sendak's blurb, bless.
December 30, 2017
This was so delightful and a great chuckle. Check it out from your library if you can.
August 5, 2022
I missed this when it came out and I wish I would have kept on missing it. UGH. What a disappointment.
I tend to be pre-judgy about books like this--they tend to be poorly written money-grabs. Yep. It's subpar rhyme (rhyme that doesn't make people hate you is hard. this needs about 15 more drafts) with a hidden stripper in it. No problems with strippers but know it's a dick move to make something look like it's for kids when it's not. All it does it piss off unsuspecting parents which is your right, just, it's a dick move.
The worse part is that dude culturally appropriated a totem pole. BIG SIGH. Colbert, you're better than this.
I tend to be pre-judgy about books like this--they tend to be poorly written money-grabs. Yep. It's subpar rhyme (rhyme that doesn't make people hate you is hard. this needs about 15 more drafts) with a hidden stripper in it. No problems with strippers but know it's a dick move to make something look like it's for kids when it's not. All it does it piss off unsuspecting parents which is your right, just, it's a dick move.
The worse part is that dude culturally appropriated a totem pole. BIG SIGH. Colbert, you're better than this.
Read
April 13, 2024Not for children, but totally delightful.
December 13, 2024
What do strippers in heels and the American flag have in common?
January 2, 2018
I read this for 2 reason. because I like Stephen Colbert and also cause it is a super short picture book. other than that, it was kind of funny but nothing that will stick with me.
April 18, 2025
Funny very brief read. Some good laugh out loud satire moments.
July 5, 2012
I guess this could be a good book for 4th of July, for adults, or maybe teens too. And I read it the day after 4th of July/the holiday weekend.
Somehow, this one just didn’t charm me as much as I’d expected. The most fun part of this book, for me, was the very, very, very short author’s bio on the inside back cover. That is funny, as are the other bios on the same spot. I also enjoyed the fun he poked at himself. Parts of the rhyme were funny. I didn’t particularly enjoy the illustrative style, but the pictures did fit the book. Maybe I was in the wrong mood that I didn’t find this funnier. I liked the little asides more than the story proper.
I love Stephen Colbert. I heard him interviewed years ago, and was very touched about things in his personal history, and I often find his humor funny.
I don’t have a humor shelf so this book is hard to shelve. I had a very, very hard time assigning a star rating for this one. I guess I sort of liked it, so 3 stars, but I can’t say I’d recommend it. For potentially interested readers I’d tell them to read other reviews; there are many 5 and 4 star reviews by those I know, so I’d tell others I know to read those to get an idea if they’d like this book.
Somehow, this one just didn’t charm me as much as I’d expected. The most fun part of this book, for me, was the very, very, very short author’s bio on the inside back cover. That is funny, as are the other bios on the same spot. I also enjoyed the fun he poked at himself. Parts of the rhyme were funny. I didn’t particularly enjoy the illustrative style, but the pictures did fit the book. Maybe I was in the wrong mood that I didn’t find this funnier. I liked the little asides more than the story proper.
I love Stephen Colbert. I heard him interviewed years ago, and was very touched about things in his personal history, and I often find his humor funny.
I don’t have a humor shelf so this book is hard to shelve. I had a very, very hard time assigning a star rating for this one. I guess I sort of liked it, so 3 stars, but I can’t say I’d recommend it. For potentially interested readers I’d tell them to read other reviews; there are many 5 and 4 star reviews by those I know, so I’d tell others I know to read those to get an idea if they’d like this book.
July 13, 2012
Another funny book by the always hilarious Stephen Colbert, this time with a parody of childrens book.
Inspired by his interview with author Maurice Sendak, Colbert writes about a pole who is still looking for his true destiny of being an important pole. From an Olympic pole to a to a strippers pole, it seems hopeless until he finally, in the end, becomes a flag pole.
Haha, it's a very funny book, but I questioned if it was really a childrens book or just a parody of one. It has to be a parody because it's got some pretty funny stuff that little kids would question or not know about. Yet it's still a hilarious book that I anxiously looked forward to and I definitely suggest it for you. However, I don't want to be hating on Colbert, but yet I must say that you probably shouldn't show your kids this because it's got a little bit of adult humor, as well. So, yeah, it's an overall good book yet it's not intending for your kids.
Inspired by his interview with author Maurice Sendak, Colbert writes about a pole who is still looking for his true destiny of being an important pole. From an Olympic pole to a to a strippers pole, it seems hopeless until he finally, in the end, becomes a flag pole.
Haha, it's a very funny book, but I questioned if it was really a childrens book or just a parody of one. It has to be a parody because it's got some pretty funny stuff that little kids would question or not know about. Yet it's still a hilarious book that I anxiously looked forward to and I definitely suggest it for you. However, I don't want to be hating on Colbert, but yet I must say that you probably shouldn't show your kids this because it's got a little bit of adult humor, as well. So, yeah, it's an overall good book yet it's not intending for your kids.
December 29, 2015
This faux-childrens' book is packed with hilarity that extends to even the front and back covers. My only contention is the illustration seems sub-par by most illustrated book standards. I find that the most effective satire accurately mocks every little aspect of the subject it attempts to subvert (Onion News Network are the undisputed masters, in my humble opinion.) As a big fan of both the Colbert Report and of well-illustrated childrens' books, I was hoping the Colbert-brand satire I enjoy would extend to the visual aspect of the genre. An amusing read, even if it's more in place as a comedy prop for a show than a book per se, or at best a "coffee table book" for a bachelor pad. I got more entertainment out of what Colbert (+ Maurice Sendak, Tom Hanks) did with the book on the Colbert Report than actually reading the book.
February 11, 2013
WHAT A RIVETING READ! I started reading last night, and finished the whole book (all 15 pages) IN THE SAME EVENING! I was on the edge of my seat, I couldn't put the book down! I felt so much for our hero. I mean, who HASN'T felt like an out of place pole once in their lives? Stephen Colbert is a powerful poet! His words are full of poise and passion, and it shows in the pages of this beautiful book. It was inspiring, heart-felt, redeeming, superb, other positive synonyms... This book will change your entire outlook on life! READ THIS BOOK or live out the rest of your life in ignorance.
December 5, 2020
4 stars
August 15, 2013
sorry, buddy, this is so very far from funny.
I thought maybe it was meant to be a children's story... that was before the bit about the stripper pole. it's just some company attempting to make money off a popular name & doing a terrible job at. what a waste.
I thought maybe it was meant to be a children's story... that was before the bit about the stripper pole. it's just some company attempting to make money off a popular name & doing a terrible job at. what a waste.
May 9, 2012
This book is so brilliantly run of the mill! I recommend you read it if you have a minute or two or if you have absolutely nothing else to do! Startling in its middling mediocrity.
May 22, 2012
If it wern't for the stripper, I would totally read this at storytime.
August 16, 2012
It isn't a perfect gift for a kid because he threw in a pole-dancing stripper...What was he thinking?
September 9, 2023
God, this is freaking hilarious. Read this at LeakyCon.
March 26, 2015
Hilarious, and sort of moving. It is silly and has an easy plot line. I would not recommend this for children though due to some age inappropriate ideas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 460 reviews