The Worst Band in the Universe [With CD]

by Graeme Base

Book Overview

On Planet Blipp, beyond the stars, beyond the sun and moon, The world was ruled by music -- but tradition called the tune. The Ancient Songs of ages past were all that could be heard, And no one was... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810939983
• ISBN13: 9780810939981
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: ABRAMS
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 11.0" x 10.9"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Mind You'll Want to Meld With by garrie keyman

Every age has its idiosyncratic vernacular. If I spoke of multi-tasking, for instance, you'll know what I mean. Allow me to introduce you to the Master Multi-tasker, Graeme Base: author, poet, artist, cartoonist, social commentator, musician and all-around madcap hyper-dimensional entity (his term). This, folks, is a mind you'll want to meld with: a veritable Dr. Seuss in hyperspace.Billed on its eye-catching jacket as a "totally cosmic musical adventure," The Worst Band in the Universe is all that, and more. In a pithy sure-footed poetry, Base introduces us to Sprocc, a thirteen(standard)-year-old member of the Blippian Tribe who, along with his instrument of choice - the Splingtwanger - dares to defy the mandates of the Musical Inquisitor. Sprocc's crime is innovation, for which he is banished to Wastedump B19 after his band is named winner of the bogus Annual Worst Band in the Universe Contest advertising as first prize an all-expense-paid trip to Alpha 10.On B19 Sprocc meets, among others, Skat, self-proclaimed overseer of the Wastedump and former recipient of the Worst Band in the Universe one-way-ticket to paradise lost. Skat rules since he alone can hold the indigenous flesh-devouring creepers, called Gulpers, at bay -- by hammering ear-splitting chords on his PowerAxe. But all is not lost. Fellow exile, ButtonPusher, a member of the Midimoog Tribe (proficient on all bU.Mff compatible keydevices and associated NrD electro-sonicware) holds a B.S. in SonicEngineering from the University of GalSec14. ButtonPusher turns out to be a bit of an innovator, himself, having drawn up schematics for a ship that sails on song.Of this notion Base proclaims:The task was huge, the concept vague, the physics somewhat moot,But once the seed of hope was sown it gradually took root.They labored with the flame of freedom burning in their hearts,A hammer, seven drill bits and an endless source of parts. And slowly from the rubble grew a glorious creation:A flimsy pile of rusted junk - the means of their salvation.You'll never make it fly," said Skat. "And even if you do,The Gulpers will devour the lot - and take you with it, too!"Sprocc, disappointed when Skat refuses to join in the scheme to escape, lifts off on F sharp and returns to Blipp in time to witness the Musical Inquistor declare all Tuneful Worlds bereft of moral principles and declare himself Ruler of the Universe. Sprocc interrupts with a slap of the musical gauntlet: A triple-octave mega-riff with whammy bar and feeling. Called on by the Eldest One to reply, The Musical Inquisitor reveals himself devoid of talent and unable to play a chord. Revealed a fraud, this Hard Rock answer to Darth Vader declares war, unleashing the unthinkable: a universally-broadcast numbing flood of drivel Base calls Random-Access-Digi-Drone.The mindless monotonous noise fells the crowd and incapacitates Sprocc as he tries to respond to the assault with his Splingtwanger before being overcome and slumping against the s

Splingtwanger Innovation

An awesome book about being different and new! The illustrations are great, the story has an awesome message, the prose is perfect, and it comes with a cd too! Overcoming obstacles, doing what is right, good winning over evil, youth empowerment, hard work, and even multi-cultural! I love reading this book with kids I babysit for and then listening to the cd and talking about the story!

A Groob's Dream Come True

This book is awesome! Sprocc is an average 13-year old he wants to be a rock-and-roll star. Unfortunately it is illegal to play anything but traditional music on the splingtwanger (a guitar-like instrument), on his planet. He and some friends enter The Worst Band in the Universe contest, the prize is a ticket to a 'better' planet. When Sprocc and his pals win they find themselves on a junk planet, they are always at risk of plants that eat anything that makes noise. The illustrations are bright and amazing - everytime I read the book I notice something new in them. The other cool thing is the cd in the back of the book and the lyrics written on the backside of the last page. This book makes me wish I could play the splingtwanger too.

Worst band in the universe

A "groovy" sci-fi adventure tale that is a cross between Star Wars and "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". I'm buying this for inspiration for my 40+ long-hair brother who dreams of playing guitar in a rock-and-roll band, among other "crazy" aspirations. It might serve to inspire others, ages 10 and up, to follow their dreams. Spacey, wet watercolors with enough definition to keep the characters solidly "real" without being too scary.

A Visual Rhyming Feast

This book has wonderful rhyming text and is a visual feast. I'm buying many for presents this holiday season for middle schoolers in band - including one for my son's band teacher. One is never too old for a picture book of this quality.