Late for School

LATE FOR SCHOOL
By Steve Martin
September 2010
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
Hardback/CD
ISBN-13: 978-0-446-55702-3
32 pages
$17.99


“If I’m late there’s misery
I won’t be up on history
I’ll be in the English grammar slammer
And I’ll get a C!”

Who hasn’t at some time in their life been worried about being late for school? Steve
Martin looks back Into his childhood with the help of illustrator C. F. Payne and reflects on
his personal daily struggle of being on time and the responsibility of learning in school.

The poetry is a little unconventional in that it has forced rhymes through use of a
backwoods type of country slang. The music on the CD is perfect for the mood with the
rhythm and rhyme of the poetry.

The illustrations are phenomenal. Besides bearing a strong resemblance to the real Steve
Martin at an early age, these are well-drawn portraits of definite moments in the author’s
life.

Steve Martin is best known as a comedian but he has also written books and screenplays as well as being an actor and screenwriter. He’s won Emmys and Grammys. He continues to write s and frequently his work appears in THE NEW YORKER and THE NEW YORK TIMES.
C. F. Payne is an illustrator who has worked collaboratively with numerous children’s authors and most notably, John Lithgow on The Remarkable Farkle McBride and Micawber. His artwork has been in almost every notable magazine published and most memorable has been his recent drawing of President Obama on the cover of Time Magazine.
With this book is a CD of Martin singing the poetry with accompaniment on the banjo. The second selection on the CD is strictly the banjo music.

LATE TO SCHOOL is fun to read, listen to, and definitely has outstanding artwork. Even though its targeted audience is for children from four to eight years of age, everyone will truly enjoy this glimpse of a memoir into the life of Steve Martin.

Teri Davis October 17, 2010