Review
------
"What's the coolest picture book out there for a generation that
grew up with The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and The Stooges? No,
it's not Where the Wild Things Are. It's What Is Punk, a rhyming
retelling of punk rock history accompanied by Play-Doh facsimiles
of Iggy Pop, Johnny Rotton, and the like."
--Culture Sonar
"With its clay illustrations and rhyming couplets, What Is Punk?
introduces kids to the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The
Ramones and punk idols like Siouxsie Sioux. The book exposes the
little ones to punk's rebellious side in a G-rated way, while
also making note of the sub-culture's desire for equality and
inclusiveness."
--MusicFeeds
"Wonderful....In addition to marvelous clay figures of seminal
figures like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones...Yi also created
tableaux of the Clash, the facade of CBGB, and most wonderfully,
Iggy Pop's famous 1970 crowd-surfing stunt."
--Dangerous Minds
"Eric Morse's book, with illustrations by Anny Yi, is written in
rhyme with photos of colorful clay characters and settings to
recreate the history of the deafening roar/that awakened the
people/like never before."
--Outlook Magazine
"What Is Punk? is a primer for punks with kids. Its best function
is to keep you, as the parent, from getting bored out of your
skull with all the pink ponies you get to read about over and
over. It was made for me....I love this book."
--Psycho Moto Zine
"Every once in a while, a children's book comes along that will
entertain parents (or grandparents) even more than it will kids.
What Is Punk? is precisely that sort of book....Morse writes
fluid verse that sounds something like Dr. Seuss, although the
subject matter is dramatically different. Instead of green eggs
and ham, Morse writes about the punk movement...Accompanying the
text are Yi's striking illustrations . . . [What Is Punk? is]
informative and sweet."
--The Oklahoman
"Are you of flipping through candy-coloured picture books
full of frolicking, anthropomorphic animals with your young ones?
Want them to learn something about your own youthful obsessions?
Well this book is a great introduction to punk as written for
kids."
--Sydney Morning Herald
"A creative claymation-influenced illustrated condensed history
of punk rock for kids....This highly imaginative narrative verse
condensation of Punk history is ideally illustrated with detailed
clay figures and objects that define state of the art punk in a
truly unique and fun, zany way. Just like Punk."
--Midwest Book Review
"For those not in the know, the book is just as educational (and
entertaining) for adults, too....What Is Punk? just might be the
coolest bedtime story ever written."
--Palette
"[A] lively, clay figure-illustrated primer on all things punk.
With a bouncy cadence perfect for reading aloud, What is Punk?
delves into the history of punk from the early days of CBGB, the
Clash and the Velvet Underground to later acts like Henry Rollins
and Sleater-Kinney. The art direction on this one is stellar,
with the clay figures inhabiting dimly lit clubs, hanging out in
record shops or even perfectly mimicking Joey Ramone's
unmistakable posture."
--Pacific Northwest Inlander
"What Is Punk? belongs on the bookshelves of music-loving
parents, because Morse's creative, charming narrative and Yi’s
unforgettable clay scenes bring to life the genesis of a music
that's all about freedom and energy, and they do so in an amusing
way that has my kid excited to travel down the many rabbit holes
of punk history."
--Westword Denver
"This is the single best primer for anybody who is interested in
the music or history of the punk rock movement...The art work of
this book is simply phenomenal! Claymation figures of punk icons
are uncannily realistic. The text is fun, witty, and
spirited...This one is an absolute WINNER!"
--Saline Library
"This book surveys the early history of punk rock in delightful
rhyme."
--Parent
"What is Punk? is a non-fiction children's book that uses a 1-2
punch of rhyme and insanely detailed, colorful clay art to bring
the history of punk music and culture alive....Anny Yi's
captivating clay illustrations stir the reader to want to get
closer to the visceral punk scene and experience the deafening
roar/that inspired the people/like never before. Kids will be
able to sit alone or with a reading partner and marvel at the
handcrafted figures, fashion, album covers, s, punk 'zines
and backgrounds. They will want to reach out and touch the
studded spikes on a leather jacket, run their hands over an album
cover, try on Lou Reed's sunglasses, and snatch the mic from
Henry Rollins' hand. Who knew punk looked so good in colored
clay?"
--Punky Moms
"This book is great! I love looking at the perfectly detailed
clay animated photos. What a great way to teach my child about
the energy and hard-edged spirit of punk music!"
--All Beautiful Mommies
"Just because you have kids doesn't mean you have to play them
kids' music. The book What Is Punk? serves as a primer for
parents of toddlers and preschoolers who might need some
convincing....What Is Punk? has great art by Anny Yi that make
some of the angriest and most antisocial bands in punk history
perfectly adorable."
--The Daddy Complex
"Both my husband and son love What Is Punk?, and share raucous
laughter and snippets of songs as they read through together. Not
only is What Is Punk? a fun take on pop culture, it’s an accurate
rendering of Punk rock and its key players (all modeled from
clay)."
--Lo-Wren
"This captivating and informative little book will teach little
readers all about the rise of Punk music and introduce them to
some of the most famous and important Punk bands....Charming,
smart, and a lot of fun, What Is Punk? is the perfect read for
the music lovers in your life!"
--Word Spelunking
"This is an incredibly cute book telling of punk rock's history
in rhyme with claymation type illustrations....Read it to your
child and, maybe, play the music! Teach 'em young."
--Iced Tea Diaries
Read more ( javascript:void(0) )
About the Author
----------------
Eric Morse was the founding editor of Trampoline House magazine,
named Best New Online Magazine by SXSW. As an entrepreneur and as
director of direct-to-consumer business at Warner Music Group,
Morse has devoted himself to spreading the gospel of great music
to young ears. He lives within a stone's throw of New York City
with his wife and four children.
Anny Yi is an artist from Los Angeles, California. Working with
clay as her medium, she merges all of her passions into short
stop-motion films and figure models.
Read more ( javascript:void(0) )