Barry Louis Polisar facts for kids

Barry Louis Polisar is a talented author and singer-songwriter. He is famous for creating fun children's music, along with many children's books, poems, and stories.

About His Work

Barry Louis Polisar has traveled all over the United States and Europe. He visits schools and libraries to share his stories and songs. He has won the Parents' Choice Award five times for his amazing work.

He has even performed in famous places like The White House, The Smithsonian, and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Barry has written songs for popular shows like Sesame Street and for The Weekly Reader. He also starred in a children's TV show that won an Emmy Award. You might have seen him on The Learning Channel too!

Barry works with groups that help kids learn to read. He has won a special award from libraries for being great at getting children excited about reading.

Famous Songs and Movies

One of Barry's songs, "All I Want Is You," became very famous. It was featured in the opening of the movie Juno in 2007. This song has also been used in many advertisements. You might have heard it in commercials for the National Lottery (United Kingdom) or for Honda Civic cars. It was also in ads for Del Monte Foods and Lay's potato chips. The Lay's ad even played during the Super Bowl LIX!

In 2010, a special album called We're Not Kidding! A Tribute to Barry Louis Polisar was released. This album has two discs and features 60 of Barry's songs. Different artists, including his son Evan Polisar, sang their own versions of his songs.

His Life Story

Barry Louis Polisar was born in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Maryland. He started his career as a performer and writer after moving to Montgomery County, Maryland.

Awards and Honors

Barry Louis Polisar has received many awards for his work:

• His TV show, Field Trip, won two Emmy Awards in its first season.
• His music recordings have won five different Parents' Choice Awards.
• In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children's Music Web. This award recognized his "three decades of being a distinctive voice for kids."
• He has won many Children's Music Web Awards for Best Children's Recording and Best New Song.
• His book Insect Soup won a Parents' Guide Award for Outstanding Children's Books.
• His video Scrapbook won a National Media Gold Award. It also received an award from the Coalition on Quality Children's Recordings.
• He has won two Maryland State Artist Awards.
• His recording Old Dogs, New Tricks was named "one of the twenty best Children's Recordings of all time." This honor came from The American Library Association's Children's Jukebox and Award Hall of Fame.
• The Maryland Library Association gave him a Special Recognition Award. They praised his "contributions on behalf of children of all ages" and his "ability to communicate with children and excite them to read."

Music Albums

Barry Louis Polisar has released many albums over the years. Here are some of his popular ones:

Studio Albums

• Old Enough to Know Better
• A Little Different
• Juggling Babies
• Songs for Boys & Girls
• Teachers Favorites
• Old Dogs, New Tricks
• Family Trip
• Family Concert
• I Eat Kids and Other Songs for Rebellious Children
• My Brother Thinks He's a Banana and other Provocative Songs for Children
• Captured Live and in the Act
• Songs for Well Behaved Children
• Stanley Stole My Shoelace and Rubbed it in His Armpit and Other Songs My Parents Won't Let Me Sing
• Fun Songs for Kids

Special Collaborations

Barry's music has been part of some award-winning projects:

• The 2009 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media winning soundtrack for the movie Juno.
• The 2010 Parents' Choice Award and NAPPA Gold Award winning album We're Not Kidding! A Tribute to Barry Louis Polisar.
• The 2012 Grammy Award for Best Children's Album winning album All About Bullies... Big And Small.