You know Steve Martin is an actor, but did you know he is also a writer? And we are lucky he is! Late for School is a quick-witted winner by the Emmy and Grammy-winning legend. Peachy Deegan has seen him at shows at the Park Avenue Armory in person, but that was before Whom You Know. On the day after Halloween (a long week for those that were out late last night!), we cannot help but think there were a few late for school this morning....This hilarious children's book was a huge hit with my elementary school children. The unnamed protagonist, who looks to be about eight years old in the wonderful illustrations by C. F. Payne, is already on thin ice these days. Last semester, he received a warning about his chronic tardiness to school and promised his parents that he would not be late again. However, the book opens with a panicked child staring at "7:41" on his alarm clock. There's no way he can make it to class by 8:00.
But, in the fantastical world of Steve Martin, our new friend avoids the "English grammar slammer." Thanks to his meteoric speed, flying leaps over lawn flamingos, a ride hitched on a passing kite, and crash landing on the school's football field, he makes it to the classroom at exactly 8:00...only to find that it is Saturday.
Kids of all ages, and their parents, will enjoy this delightful book and the accompanying CD, which features Martin's extraordinary banjo skills. There's even a karaoke version for a family sing-a-long. What a great Christmas gift for a child in your life.
Whom You Know Highly Recommends Late for School by Steve Martin! We hope to see you again in Manhattan and read more of your great literature, Mr. Martin!~
***
Getting to school has never been quite this difficult—or hilarious. Celebrated writer and entertainer Steve Martin and dynamic artist C.F. Payne have teamed up to tell the story of the adventure—filled with danger and laughs—of one youngster's mad dash to get to class when you sleep late. LATE FOR SCHOOL, Martin’s new book for young readers, will be published by Grand Central Publishing in hardcover on September 8, 2010 ($17.99).
Steve Martin won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for The Crow, his album that includes the song “Late for School” (the lyrics of which comprise the text of the book). The CD enclosed with the book will feature both the album version of the song and an instrumental track, so readers can sing along, karaoke-style.
Steve Martin is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Born Standing Up, The Pleasure of My Company, Shopgirl, which was also produced as a feature film, and Pure Drivel. His film credits include Father of the Bride, Parenthood, The Spanish Prisoner and It’s Complicated, as well as Roxanne, L.A. Story, and Bowfinger, for which he also wrote the screenplays. Martin’s previous children’s book, The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z! (Flying Dolphin Press, 2007), created with New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, was a #1 New York Times bestseller.
Visit Grand Central Publishing at
www.hachettebookgroup.com
