Smelly Locker: Silly Dilly School Songs

Silly Dilly Songs

by Alan Katz, David Catrow (Illustrator)

The uproarious creators of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs and Are You Quite Polite? Silly Dilly Manners Songs are at it again, this time causing a silly dilly ruckus all over school!

The snappy new lyrics to familiar songs touch on everything that goes on at school -- from backbreaking backpacks and troublesome tests to antics in the lunchroom, at recess, and more. You might just need a hall pass to go out and laugh or giggle yourself silly when you sing along to these brand-new hits!

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Music, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lydia Boverie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of remade songs to the tunes of other songs that describe different experiences every one experiences at school, in an amusing way that is so fun for kids of all ages. I think this would be a very interesting read, though it was for sure not one of my favorite books. Though I can see how my future students might enjoy such a book, especially if they got to sing the songs and possibly even share their own experiences.

This book, could be fun to have in the classroom, it helps bring to life all the things a student could and will experience throughout their day at school, whether dealing with lockers, teachers, homework, classmates, lunch time, etc. It might be a good book to read during the first few days at school.

[Jessica Neubauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story includes a collection of songs that are familiar to many children and connects with different topics of school. These songs include lyrics about heavy backpacks, the lunchroom, a smelly locker, recess, speeches, etc. Each song includes a witty and colorful illustration to set the scene.

This story is a very comical story and I love how relatable some of this is. The illustrations are also very comical and a great addition to the text.

This could be used in a classroom to relate to students in a comical way while having them sing and laugh. I would recommend this book.

[Jada Curtis]

The book would be a fun break from learning lessons. I can see it being used to teach about the importance of keeping your area clean and rid of smelly nasty things, and also as a brain break. I think it could also be used to relate to certain instances that are brought up in the book. I feel like this book is a fun way to get your class to sing and be silly and break down some barriers that could be between you and your students.

[Samantha Ocampo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book could be very fun to have in a classroom to add a little laughter and life to a room. With all the songs being about school, I am sure many can relate to at least one. The only hard part I could see is that students may not know the tune of the song but that could be easily fixed by a video to listen to them. I would recommend this book full of silly songs to a teacher to include in their classroom as a read aloud.

[Brenley Colbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun book to read to younger kids that takes songs they know and rewrites them about things in school. I think this book would be great to read to class as a reward or more like for a fun time because it doesn't tell a clear story.

I would only read this to elementary students and probably just lower elementary too.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is my favorite so far in this book series. It had a lot of funny and clever songs. The illustrations have the same style as the rest of the books, but I didn't mind them as much as I did with the other books. Maybe I'm getting used to them?

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an entire series of these books, by far I think this is my favorite. The rhymes to the songs are easier to get (mostly) and they don’t make the tongue fall all over itself as bad. Plus I am a sucker for a Catrow illustration.

[Christine.Newmanbetheluniversityedu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry Songs Grade: PreK-3
These silly songs about school are in the tunes of nursery rhymes. Children would be interested since the tunes are familiar. The words make the silly songs relatable to children because they are about school. Catchy tunes make these songs easy to remember.

[Abigail Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to get kids to sing along with you and to laugh

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely silly!

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book love the poems

[Richard WSUV]

Published in 2008, this poetry book would be great for students learning poetry. It would also frame learning grammar or writing as fun, to get those apprehensive pencils moving.

[Shel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katz, A. (2008). Smelly Locker: Silly dilly school songs. New York: Margaret K.
McElderry Books.

1416906959

Smelly Locker is a part of a series of song collections. This book features 14 songs set to classic songs familiar to many kids. This collection explores aspects of school, including heavy backpacks, class picture day, the lunchroom, recess, oral reports, etc. Each song is paired with a colorful and humorous illustration.

A problem that presents itself is the fact that not all children will be familiar with all of the songs used to create the general tunes for the song. I have to admit, I was naïve of one or two of them.

Another issue I have with this text is the fact that I feel like kids should be the ones to make up their own songs based off of the tunes to “I’m a Little Teapot” and “London Bridge is Falling Down.” Of course, such a fun exercise is still possible as long as a teacher reinforces the fact Katz’s versions are just a jumping off point for creativity.



Activities to do with the book:

Since students may not know all of the tunes presented in this picture book, a teacher could instead challenge students to think of these songs as poems as well.

A teacher could prepare a competition in which the students describe quirky aspects of their school building. The students could then sing and create a dance for the winning lyrics while the teacher records it.

Having this book present in a classroom or home could also encourage children to create their own silly songs or poems about the activities in their lives to help them create meaning, see the funny aspects of daily routines or relax.


Favorite Quotes:

“Heavy backpack!
So many pounds, I fear
if I look up, I’m gonna
topple over on my rear!”

“Time for ,mul-ti-pli-ca-tion!
Like two times three times three.
The teacher knows the answer,
So why’s she asking me?”

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com

[Amy Ringquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun collection of poems creates new words for popular children's songs. Unfortunately, some of the songs aren't used in schools as much today and would need a little teaching to help children sing the melody. A great model text for getting students interested in poetry when the song is familiar and the words are silly. It also is a good model text for conventions as it shows the words in stanzas with various forms of punctuation. It also helps students with word choice as they develop their own poetry as words don't have to exactly rhyme to keep the rhythm of the poem.
Reading Equivalent = 3

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The songs are definitely silly, and sung to the tunes of familiar favorites (the alphabet song, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Oh Susannah!, etc.) Ryan loved it; it's a clever concept. A bit too silly for me, and I wasn't a big fan of the illustrations (not my style). But of course I'm not the primary audience here.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with fun rhymes that every third or fourth grade child could love! Although I had a hard time reading the books with the correct song rhythm, I really loved the themes of the book. My favorite song would have to be the first one entitled "Smelly locker!" which is to the tune of "Frere Jacques". I also liked "Stressed about the test!"

[Ta'Mya Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun little book. It just had songs about things that students go through during the school day but in the tune of popular nursery rhyme songs. I would love to use this book to get the kids' energy up in the classroom. You can be goofy and get the kids to join along. It would be perfect for younger kids.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as funny as the previous collections, but this poetry collection has got some great moments (like "I got a hall pass" to the tune of "Home on the Range")... and the illustrations by David Catrow are, as usual, awesome!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another silly piggyback song book by Alan Katz. The topic of all of these songs is school so it would be great for school aged children. He covers everything from class picture day to math and music class. It is very humorous with fantastically funny illustrations by David Catrow.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book works best if you know the tunes of the songs referred to, which I didn't in about a third of the cases. David Catrow's grotesque illustrations add to the silliness of the songs. Kids will probably like it if they know the tunes.

[Cerys Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the bottom of the page that has the poem, "Tomorrow is our class picture day!" is a caricature of the current superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools. Swear to God. I'm going to read this to the kids for that reason alone.

[Michelle Carter]

I love this book. There are poems and songs set to old favorites such as I'm a Little Teapot, London Bridge, Home on the Range and others. Students will love these silly sayings, guaranteed. Great pictures.

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This funny book is all about silly school situations in poetry form, set to well know songs. This one will appeal to second graders on up. Be sure to sing them through a few times, as sometimes the words and the tunes are a hard fit. Great illustrations.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations coupled with hilarious poetry with directions to sing (loudly in our case) to some of our most beloved songs makes this book an instant classic. I forsee myself embarrasing myself on more than one occasion very soon.

[Alexis Munk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like most of the illustrations in this book. They are very strange. I do really love how it is written in poems. I also love that it shows what kind of tune the poems are to be said in. My favorite poem was about the lunch room because most of the things mentioned are true.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny songs!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of "to the tune of" poems. Problem: I often don't know the original tune.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all these silly song books by this dynamic duo!! Very fun to share with older kids who get the crazy humor and illustrations.

[Linda Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some really funny songs about school in it. My only concern is that it tends to speak of school in a negative way. The illustrations are amazing

[Chocoholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a fifth-grader, this sense of humor will be right up their alley! I love the clever rhyme to familiar tunes. My daughter and I had fun reading/signing it.