Kids Say the Darndest Things

Kids Say the Darndest Things!, by Art Linkletter, is a collection of highlights from his talk show House Party. It was originally published in 1957. It is illustrated by Charles Schultz (of Peanuts fame), and originally featured an introduction by Walt Disney (later releases have an introduction by Bill Cosby, who hosted a second incarnation of Kids the Darndest Things! and did a poor job). In a popular segment on Linkletter's program House Party, he would interview small children, who often gave hilarious responses to (mostly) innocent questions. In this book, Linkletter presents some of his favorite moments from the show, and talks about some of the program's background, including how the children were selected. Although it loses something in its transfer to print, nearly everything in this book ranges from the amusing to the hilarious. Only the last chapter, a collection of stories that didn't happen on the show (and mostly aren't true), disappoints. These are stories marketed as real things children did but actually written by adults trying (and failing) to be clever. On the whole, they come off as annoying. Stories like these still make the rounds on email, and they still aren't funny or credible. On the whole, Kids Say the Darndest Things! is a funny, funny book.

I can't see how you can dislike this book, it's the cutest! I love reading books with honest responses from kids. It's such a great perspective, one I highly think adults should adopt. This should be a treasure on every parent's and teacher's bookshelf. Great anecdotes. My favorite was the one about the girl who threw a cupcake in another person's face, because it wasn't forbidden by the Bible xD

This book was the first laugh out loud book I ever read. I was 12 years old and found the book on my grandparents coffee table. I have read it at least every couple years since then. Art Linkletter did a very good job capturing what is in the minds of children. The things they say are by turns hilarious and thought provoking. Children perceive the world with new and unjaded eyes and the way they process information is very unique! My copy or rather my grandparents copy is very tattered and falling apart. I was so excited to be able to purchase a new copy. My children are grown now and I have shared this book with them. My husband and I just laugh over the anecdotes in this book. We quote them to each other quite often. We just reread the book out loud to each other and often we would have tears rolling down our faces from laughing so hard. It also would remind us of some of the funny things our own kids would say when they were growing up. Overall I would say this is just a fun book that will brighten your day. It is admittedly silly, but couldn't we all use a little laughter in our day?

This is the first book by Art Linkletter that I've ever read. It won't be the last. The "Kids" are the stars, of course. The stories are charming and such a pleasure to read. I didn't want to put the book down.

when I was 10 years old, I found this gem in a large pile of books at my Grandma's house. I laughed out loud when I first read this book, and each time since. It is hilarious.