Product Description

Colorful paper collages revive a classic African-American song, as frolicking skeletons sing along to the well-known spiritual, accompanied by interesting, informative "bone facts."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50359 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780811808279
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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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.

From Booklist
Ages 5^-8. A snappy introduction to the human skeleton, this picture book is based on the African American spiritual "Dem Bones." Those looking forward to singing along may stumble a bit, with all the "--the refrain given only at the end of the entire bony list. Each double-page spread illustrates one phrase from the song, which dances through the spread, while in smaller letters Barner discusses one of the 10 bones named in the song in a few lines of simple, informative text. The last spread features a reclining skeleton with 20 major bones labeled. Although this is not primarily a song book, the music comes through loud and clear in the jazzy, jiving positions of the skeletons, who play a variety of instruments as they illustrate their knee bones, head bones, and so on. Bold in form and vibrant in color combination, the collages of torn and cut papers create a series of lively illustrations. Engaging up close and even more effective at a distance, the artwork makes this an inviting picture book to read aloud in primary-grade classrooms. Carolyn Phelan

Customer Reviews

Great Homeschool Resource
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.

Another great Bob Barner book
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.

We love this book!
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.