Jeff Nathan
Author

Published Books Presentations
Contact



    Sharing a silly
          song		                                      As Sherlock Poems,
Poetry Detective

Jeff Nathan is the creator of PunOETRYTM and the award-winning author of There's a Bear in My Shoe, Calling All Animals, and There's a Hippo in My Locker from Chucklebooks Publishing. All are books of humorous poems for children, with a special twist. His work is also in Oh My Darling, Porcupine and I Hope I Don't Strike Out from Meadowbrook Press.

Education Through HUMOR 

Jeff also created CurricuLaughs  a set of very popular curriculum-tied programs that get students laughing and having fun, getting some right-brain help for traditionally left-brained learning. He GUARANTEES these programs to be the BEST, MOST FUN, AND MOST EDUCATIONAL language arts assemblies your school has EVER HAD or you don't have to pay.


Cut to the chase
Contacting Jeff's office to get:

a)  CurricuLaughs, the guaranteed BEST language arts program your school has EVER HAD or you don’t have to pay, and

b) access to Renee, his on-staff grant expert, who guarantees she will FIND YOU GRANT MONEY to help bring in CurricuLaughs  to your school or


SHE’LL PAY YOU $100

and she’ll even FILL OUT ALL THE GRANT PAPERWORK FOR YOU!

Depending on where you are, when you want your visit, etc., she will find you ways to pay for all of CurricuLaughs  or part of it. Either way, you get the BEST POSSIBLE PROGRAMMING for less money---in some cases, for FREE.

Call Renee right away. The best grant options tend to run out the quickest.

1-888-967-3386 


Principal after principal after principal after principal all say that Jeff Nathan’s CurricuLaughs programs have the most lasting positive effects on students that they have ever seen.
See several principals’ letters at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com.


Here are more educators’ comments from that website:

”What an incredible experience for us all!’”
Kellie Ruggles     Reading Specialist      Ruggles Lane Elementary      Barre, MA

" by far, the best set of presentations I have seen in our school system …"
Dr. Marc Kerble      Assistant Superintendent      Winchester Schools      Winchester, MA

"… truly remarkable show…"
Kristine O. Murray     Media Enrichment Specialist     Richard Maghakian Memorial School        Brookline, NH

”Your program was fantastic!. ...”
Vicki Blazejowski      Editor     PTO Ideas

”…the children raved about Jeff’s ‘awesome poems’ and ‘great guitar playing,’ and praised him as ‘super hilarious’ and ‘so, so funny.’ As one child wrote, quite simply, ‘He rocks.’”
Constance Marr     Library Media Specialist     Webster Middle School     Webster, MA

“…the best visiting author program that I can remember ...”
Carol McGrath     Principal     Esten Elementary School     Rockland, MA

 “…truly inspired teachers and students alike…”
Kim-Marie Fudge     Reading Specialist     John F. Kennedy Elementary School     Billerica, Ma

“…If you only have one author visit your school, this is the one to get."
Kathleen Holland      Literacy Specialist     Lynch Elementary School      Winchester, MA

Please see the complete quotes and many others at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com .


"Though I am booked for many sessions long in advance, I enjoy my school visits as much as the kids do. I want to visit your school and will do whatever I can to accommodate late requests. I will find a way, if at all possible."   Jeff Nathan

see MANY more testimonials and details at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com

Published Books

There's a Bear in My Shoe

by Jeff Nathan, Liz Ball (Illustrator) Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Chucklebooks Pub Inc; 1st edition (December 31, 2005)
ISBN: 0970273029 order.gif (1197 bytes) 94X32-W-LOGO.GIF (1338 bytes)

There’s a Bear in My Shoe is a book of humorous poetry and PunOETRY™ . PunOETRY™ is a great introduction to word play, unobtrusively giving alternate spellings to help newcomers “get it”, while not spoiling anything for everyone else. There’s also a delightful section of “Poems to Sing”—silly new lyrics to familiar songs. From a St. Bernard dragging its owner through the snow, to a school where all the teachers have the right names, both kids and adults will be laughing, smiling, groaning and anxious to turn to the next page’s story. Liz Ball’s hidden-picture illustrations provide a playful adventure with each poem.

 Calling All Animals:
The First Book of PunOETRY 

  
by Jeff Nathan,
Reading level: Ages 9-12,
Edition: Paperback, 96 pages;
Publisher: Chucklebooks Pub Inc; (December 2003)

                             ISBN: 0970273010 order.gif (1197 bytes) 94X32-W-LOGO.GIF (1338 bytes)

This introduction of PunOETRY™, a unique and educational way of combining puns and rhyming poetry, was selected as co-winner of the 2003 Pinnacle Award for Children's Interest. Kids of all ages enjoy and learn from this book, especially those aged 7 – 13. Every humorous animal “punoem” highlights the puns and homophones used, and provides the alternate spellings. Each of the accompanying illustrations from Liz Ball features a Chucklebug and a hidden Chuckleslug, for added fun.

There's a Hippo in My Locker by Jeff Nathan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Edition: Paperback 79 pages
Publisher: Chucklebooks Publishing, Inc.; (October 16, 2000)

ISBN: 0970273002 order.gif (1197 bytes) 94X32-W-LOGO.GIF (1338 bytes)

There's a Hippo in My Locker is a book of short humorous poems,
most of which have been written from a kid's perspective. From a dog's
stealing a birthday cake to a pet elephant to a doctor's toughest patient,
the poems are enjoyed by humor-lovers of all ages, especially 6-14.

I Hope I Don't Strike Out! Anthology

Reading level: Ages 8-12 Edition:
Hardcover; Publisher Meadowbrook Press; (June 2008)
ISBN: 0-88166-535-5   order.gif (1197 bytes) 94X32-W-LOGO.GIF (1338 bytes)

Hope I Don't Strike Out! Is the first major anthology of funny poems about sports. Kids will love poems about how to trick batters into taking their eyes off the ball, what to expect on your first day at karate school, what not to pack for a ski trip, and how to score the winning goal in a peewee soccer game.


Oh My Darling, Porcupine
Anthology by Jeff Nathan and others
Reading level: Ages 8-12,
Edition: Hardcover;
Publisher: Meadowbrook Press; (2007)
ISBN:054502949X   order.gif (1197 bytes)94X32-W-LOGO.GIF (1338 bytes)

Best-selling poet Bruce Lansky is at it again - this time with a hilarious collection of silly sing-along songs. Kids can read and sing along with these funny new songs - all written to familiar tunes like "Clementine" and "Oh, Susanna." With lyrics written by Bruce Lansky (also known as the King of Giggle Poetry), Eric Ode, Robert Pottle, Bill Dodds, and other gifted giggle poets, this collection contains nineteen sidesplitting songs about cows in the kitchen, messy bedrooms, naughty cats, and other topics sure to crack kids up.


Presentations


Award-Winning Children's Author, Jeff Nathan, presents
CurricuLaughs
Curriculum-tied Language Arts Education through HUMOR

"This was by far the best set of presentations I have seen in our school system - funny informative, inspiring, the kids LOVED them, AND they presented some difficult MCAS concepts, like similes and metaphors, and a uniquely humorous and dramatic manner that the kids can relate to and remember ."
Dr. Marc Kerble,  Winchester Schools Assistant Superintendent,  Winchester, MA

"Thank you so much for the truly remarkable show. I have no doubt that I could write a nicely worded, long. drown-out appreciative thank you letter. But it would by no means illustrate how truly captivated the students at RMM5 were with your show. So I will simply quote a student who said it best "You Rock!". From the mouth of babes. Jeff you were sensational Thank you ever so much!"
     Kristine 0. Murray,   Richard Macfhakian Memorial,   School Media Enrichment  Specialist,  Brookline, NH


"Hi Jeff, Your program was fantastic! It was-vas much more educational than I expected and very creative. The kids really enjoyed it. I can absolutely recommend you first-hand. ..."
     Vicki Blazejowski,  Editor,  PTO Ideas

 

"Jeff thoroughly engaged the students, using o variety of audiovisual media, ranging from acoustic guitar to colorful costumes to cleverly designed PowerPoint presentations. His talent as an author, entertainer, and a songwriter brings together a multiplicity of art forms in a very worthwhile. instructive manner. Students become active listeners and participate in the analysis and usage of excellent reading and writing techniques."
     Anna Mane MacDonnell, PhD,  Grade 4 Teacher,  McGuire Elementary School,  N. Providence, RI


"...I want to thank you again for your outstanding presentation at our school. I really enjoyed watching how you brought poetry to life The children were enthralled  with your mannerisms and slapstick humor. I have heard nothing but positive comments from students, staff, and parents. Please fee! free to use me as a reference."
     Marian Houngan, Thomas Hooker School Principal,  Menden, CT

"...Thank you for such an informative, yet entertaining program you put on for our classes yesterday... What a great variety of props, costumes, and resources! They also enjoyed your small group instruction on similes and metaphors as you made it fun. You ore truly a children's poet."
      Tina Stroud. Grade 4 Teacher,  Orenda Elementary School,  Clifton Park, NY

"At our last PTO meeting, parents said their children came home and wrote pages of poetry, even books after your presentation We are always happy when children talk about the programs at home and even more impressed when the subject matter carries over to free time. Thanks again for a wonderful visit."
     Sarah Robinson,  PTO Enrichment Coordinator,  Page Elementary,  West Newbury, MA

for more information and many more REAL testimonials, go to http://www.CurricuLaughs.com

How
many
of
these
students
are
enjoying
this
assembly?		 

  1. Elementary School Visits: CurricuLaughs Full Day Educational Visits

    Curriculum-tied laughter in poetry and language arts for grades K-6, broken down by grade levels. 1 day will cover the whole school. More can be done with more days. See www.CurricuLaughs.com for more details.

  2. Family & Library: Family Fun Evenings.

    It's a concert! It's a comedy show! It's a RIOT!

    Music, laughter and fun abound in this magical session for families. There's an adult-child contest, a family project, and more of Jeff's exuded enthusiasm, guitar-playing, singing and enactments. You'll see, among many other unusual things, a giant fly. a flying Jeff Nathan, a fly ball, and Jeff getting soaked with flying water as he sings a different version of that famous French song "Alouette" (All Wet). Audience participation is part of the fun, from individual volunteers to the audience game to the adult-child contest.

    Commonly followed by a book signing, this session is GREAT FAMILY FUN.

  3. Classroom visits & residencies:

    Grade-specific visits laced with more music, poetry, special lessons and fun.

    Timed and tailored to fit a school's needs, the classroom visits work nicely after assemblies to help "personalize" the visit and add more up-close time. Writing sessions, parts-of-speech specialization, homophones, single or multi-topic residencies - all are not only workable, but lots of fun for everyone.

Discounting
Though his prices are VERY inexpensive for the quality of programming you receive, it is possible to bring in these great visits for LESS. Contact Jeff for details on grants, publisher subsidies, and other fee-reducing programs.

Why do you want him to visit?

1. CurricuLaughs is the epitome of arts in education music, poetry, language arts,
dramatic enactments all overflowing with humor as they are applied to curricula concerns.

2. Principals LOVE him.
"[Nathan] does what I look for in an enrichment program," Mountain View principal Carolyn Wallace said. "He brings things the students can use right now and the fourth grade teachers are very pleased with the work he does with poetry."

"His humor is definitely at the kids' level, as are his words and his concepts." Wallace explained. "I wouldn't be surprised if we invited him back every year because the students learn different things every year. This is a program where children aren'+ learning the exact same thing at each level."
     Carolyn Wallace Principal,  Mountain View Elementary School,  East Longmeadow. MA
          via The Reminder newspaper,  East Longmeadow. MA
          article by Courtney Llewellyn,  Reminder Assistant Editor

3. Teachers LOVE him.
"All of us at Paul Road School are very appreciative of your time and talents that you ... shared with us ... The assemblies were geared so appropriately to the ages of the students in attendance. Your enthusiasm for poetry and your informative presentation woven with humor certainly was an inspiration to our budding poets! ... The students have been talking about the poems all week...
Again. thank you for sharing your time to motivate our students..."
     Sue Bickel,  Building Reading Teacher,  Paul Road School,  Rochester. NY

"Mr. Nathon's assembly was educational and entertaining. It is a great way to get across poetry curricula in a way the children love. This was our second year in a row having "Sherlock Poems" at our school. The students, staff and administration were thrilled to have him return!"
     Kim Turnberg,  Gifted and Talented teacher,  Grades 3-5,  Mountain View Elementary  School,  East Longmeadow, MA


4. Students LOVE him.
"Hi Jeff.
At the end of the school year, I asked the children to fill out a questionnaire and in particular to comment on their favorite program. You won by a landslide..."
     Patricia Ells,  Madeline English School,  Media Specialist,  Everett, MA

"He was great and I am not usually interested in poetry."
     Fourth grader, Tiana Mackin
          via The Reminder newspaper,  East Longmeadow, MA
          article by Courtney Llewellyn,  Reminder Assistant Editor

See newspaper articles and MANY more raving testimonials at www.IncredibleAssemblies. com

He features:

  • Very funny, well-crafted poetry enjoyed by kids and adults

  • A contagious enthusiasm for his work

  • High-tech very humorous presentations that hold interest and teach/reinforce fundamental values - writing process, language art concepts, that writing and poetry can be fun, and many other important lessons for children.