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Parents' Guide to

I Am a Pole (And So Can You!)

By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Clever, satirical picture book isn't really for kids.

Book Stephen Colbert Picture Book 2012
I Am a Pole (And So Can You!) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

user145384
user145384 Adult
December 7, 2023
age 4+

I love it! Career Path!

This book was entertaining and kept my child engaged! It was a great way to show my child his different career path options and opportunities!
CherriM 1
CherriM 1 Adult
January 19, 2021
age 18+

Not for kids

Get ready to have a conversation with your young child about the career of a stripper.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A pole doesn't know what type of pole he should be, so he tries to find his \"true pole role,\" taking a stab at being a lamp pole, barber pole, maypole, totem pole, fireman's pole, telephone pole, etc., before finally finding something that suits him: being a pole for an American flag.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

For satire-savvy fans of wordplay and Stephen Colbert's humor, I AM A POLE (AND SO CAN YOU!) will be a delightful diversion. But this seemingly cute picture book isn't really for little kids due to its sophisticated jokes about such things as the Gallup Poll and evolution and one scene in which the pole is onstage for a pole-dancer who's wearing only a G-string, heels, and tasseled pasties on her breasts.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether I Am a Pole works as a kids' book or is really meant for an older audience. Do you think most of the humor would go over a little kid's head?

  • Parents will have lots to to explain, from "a pole-ish joke" to the identity of the old man in the picture of people saluting the flag. (It's Maurice Sendak, the late kids' author, who critiqued this book on The Colbert Report before it was published and whose blurb appears on the cover: "The sad thing is, I like it.")

  • Do you think Colbert is making fun of kids' books or just having fun with an idea?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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