Stuff n Nonsense Silly Rhymes
Contents:
In the good old days you could count on a book by Madonna to be crummy, Jay Leno to be offensive, and Mario Lopez to be. Then came the writers. It was odd enough when you had artsy musicians like Colin Meloy writing full-blown novels alongside guys like Jason Segal and Chris Colfer, but when the screenwriters started getting in on the act things got weird.
It just chaps my hide. Where does this guy get off not only writing a funny book of middle grade poetry but writing it so bloody WELL? Funniest book of the year for kids? This is probably the funniest book of for kids. And believe you me, I say this under duress. Doggone talented writer people. Librarians, booksellers, independent reviewers like myself, we all adhere to a code of unspoken rules. For my generation the man basically redefined what funny poetry could do. Heck, without him we never would have gotten all those Jack Prelutsky collections.
He was new and disgusting and captivating. You read his books partly out of a desire to be amused and partly because you were too terrified to stop. He appears to be a little bit older than me but not by much. Prime Silverstein fandom age. And though I am aware that I am breaking my own cardinal rule by saying this, it cannot be left unsaid: The man is as funny as Silverstein.
A book of collected poems for children can go one of two directions. Shel sort of eschewed this method, but I like it.
I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups
For this reason, Harris loads his book down with callbacks, running gags, and a storyline involving the antipathy between Harris and his illustrator that ultimately culminates in the author images and bios at the back of the book. What this does is reward those readers that systematically read the poetry in the correct order, front to back. Which, when you think about it, sort of goes against the spontaneous feel of the book itself.
Let that be a lesson to you, children. Silverstein would do the same thing. It is fortunate for all of us that Harris is much better at drawing meaning out of his poems than Shel ever was. And though I am aware that I am breaking my own cardinal rule by saying this, it cannot be left unsaid: The man is as funny as Silverstein. A book of collected poems for children can go one of two directions. Shel sort of eschewed this method, but I like it. For this reason, Harris loads his book down with callbacks, running gags, and a storyline involving the antipathy between Harris and his illustrator that ultimately culminates in the author images and bios at the back of the book.
What this does is reward those readers that systematically read the poetry in the correct order, front to back. Which, when you think about it, sort of goes against the spontaneous feel of the book itself. Let that be a lesson to you, children.
Silverstein would do the same thing. It is fortunate for all of us that Harris is much better at drawing meaning out of his poems than Shel ever was. The proof is in the pudding. Which is to say, in the last long poem in the book. The poem is written by this book itself, urging the young reader to come back in twenty-five years to pick this book up one last time.
It kind of made me tear up a little. The question is not whether the book is a pristine work of perfection, gleaming with an inner light of untainted glory. What is the ratio of good stuff to bad in this book?
Misfires and quirks aside. Imagine for a moment that you are the editor that finds this manuscript on their desk. Your job, after acquiring it, is to find it just the right illustrator.
There are lots of folks out there that are more than willing to illustrate poetry, but are they cool enough? You see the problem? There are loads of good artists out there, but could any of them contribute the sheer number of illustrations this kind of a book might require? As the editor on this, I would probably have tried Jon Klassen, toyed with the notion of Bob Staake, considered Christian Robinson, and perhaps even begged Kate Beaton for a moment or two.
Lane Smith, I hate to say it, was an inspired choice. And while every part of this book the dedications, index, book flaps, cover behind the jacket, etc.
Nonsense Alphabet - Poem by Edward Lear
The color, painted in oil over gesso, was scanned and added digitally on a secondary layer under the ink-line. The color palette is subdued, mostly browns and grays with the occasional pink or blue or green for spice. Again, it means your attention goes primarily to the words, which is both good and bad. Good, because these are some great words at work here. Other kids might prove older, or even younger. So am I, for that matter.
I will say this much then: Oh sure, the life of a fancypants television producer probably makes mad bank, but Mr. Harris, we need more of this kind of stuff. Not necessarily poetry, mind you. Just this kind of hilarious, gut-busting writing with a smidgen of hopeful meaning stirred in there for spice. This is the kind of book that reminds people that poetry for kids shouldn't just be relegated to the month of April. Read a smattering of this to a room of reluctant readers and watch as they fight, tooth and claw, to get their hands on a copy.
For ages 7 and up. Some poems are goofy, some are quite deep, others are kind of stupid I'm not sure if it's suitable for very young children some of the poems use rather difficult words, and there are a few concepts that might go over little ones' heads , but if a child can read this book to themselves, they'll probably get quite a bit out of it I'm Just No Good at Rhyming reminds me of some of Shel Silverstein's collections of poetry.
I'm not sure if it's suitable for very young children some of the poems use rather difficult words, and there are a few concepts that might go over little ones' heads , but if a child can read this book to themselves, they'll probably get quite a bit out of it. There's a tongue-in-cheek feel to the whole thing. Certain poems are referenced later in the book, there are jokes about the author and illustrator, and there's even a list of poems that didn't make the final cut which is entertaining in itself.
The one I know: Which, when you think about it, sort of goes against the spontaneous feel of the book itself. It makes no difference where you sit, the man in the gallery's sure to spit. October Tinkle, Tinkle little car How I wonder what you are. B was a bat, Who slept all the day, And fluttered about When the sun went away. And this is a longtime fav by May Swenson, A Nosty Fright The roldengod and the soneyhuckle, the sack eyed blusan and the wistle theed are all tangled with the oison pivy, the fallen nine peedles and the wumbleteed. This colle This collection of "wildly, witty, words" written by Chris Harris, is so cleverly written that kids and adults alike will quickly become obsessed with finding their new favorite poem to read.
There are a few poems that utilize unique formatting to add another element of interest. The illustrations are heavily stylized and simple, but they add just enough interest and don't detract from the poems themselves. I kept bookmarking my favourites as I went through. There were even some that made me laugh out loud. Some of the best ones in my opinion were: This book was a lot of fun to read, and it would be fun to read aloud, too.
If you like Shel Silverstein's poetry books, you might like this collection. Toasted Knight for Lunch Again? Baby said, "No armor, Mom-- I want him With the crust off! Oct 30, Emily rated it it was amazing. As an immature grown up, this was an amazing read and I laughed out loud. And I don't usually like poetry.
This is particularly true of the Two Dead Boys rhyme and readers should . And then if one's going into absurd nonsense after plain old silly nonsense, there's Monty Python sounds. There's just a wealth of stuff out there. (Year 2) to have a go at reading and performing some nonsense poems, riddles and tongue twisters. Activity. ppt, KB. silly stuff.
I cannot wait to share it with kids. Nov 11, Laura Harrison rated it it was amazing. This poetry book is so incredibly funny I can hardly stand it. The kids are going to go nuts for this one. Choosing Lane Smith to illustrate was pure genius. I hope I'm No Good at Rhyming It will be a most welcome holiday or any day gift. Librarians have probably already discovered its greatness. Recommendations should abound with that group, too. Truly one of the best children's poetry books I have ever read. Jan 13, Liz rated it it was amazing.
I originally checked this book out to read with my children, but after reading a bit with them, I read it cover to cover by myself.
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This book is a lot like Shel Silverstein I literally laughed and cried during this book. There are lots of silly poems, but some poignant ones too, that made me think. Everything a poetry book should be. Oct 19, Monica Edinger rated it it was amazing. Milne, Ogden Nash, and more I can't think of right now.
Finished it on my own, but best has been reading it aloud to my 4th graders and Jan 23, Jenny rated it it was amazing. One of the funniest poetry collections I have read ever--I like it better than Shel Silverstein or Dr. Hilarious poems with wonderful rhythm. Enthralling for kids and adults. My 6-year-old loved it, and I think up children up to middle school would enjoy it. Oct 19, Debbie rated it it was amazing. Loved the combination of poet and illustrator! They play well with each other! There's a lot of cleverness in this book.
Definitely one that you can read over and over again and appreciate more and more. This would appeal to kids and grow-up kids alike! Dec 12, Piper rated it it was amazing. My kid cackles when he reads this wonderful book! Apr 12, Mike Scardino rated it really liked it. Roses are red, Violets are blue, This book is great fun, And that's my opinion. Oct 01, DaNae rated it it was amazing Shelves: Sure to fly off the shelves along with the evergreen Silverstein.
The short poem is more challenging to write than a longer poem. It seeks to make every word count and mean exactly what is intended. A short poem has the added benefit of getting the message of poem through to the reader in a succinct way.
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There are many traditional styles of humorous short poems. The challenge is in getting your words into the proper number of syllables in each stanza. These poems have a technical element to them that contrast with the free flowing poems that are more common today. I've hunted near, I've hunted far I even looked inside my car. I've lost my glasses, I'm in need, To have them now so I can read.
This is a funny poem and I can relate to it. I've misplaced my glasses too, more times than I care to remember and when I eventually find them, I'd be like "Would you believe this? All doggies go to heaven or so I've been told. They run and play along the streets of Gold. Why is heaven such a doggie-delight? Why, because there's not a single cat in sight It describes humans as dogs, and obstacles, problems, etc.