From: Monica Edinger <monicaedinger>
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2005 06:33:30 -0400

I was unexpectedly charmed by this posthumous Shel Silverstein offering. "Unexpectedly" because I thought it would be fun, that it would be something kids would love, but it wouldn't be anything particularly different from WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS. However, what brings it to a new and different level for me is the language play throughout. The structure Silverstein employs of switching letters and sounds around is consistent throughout the book --- a play Pig Latin-like language. And then it is sort of an episodic poetry-novel too. That is, we've got Runny Babbit dealing with home, friends, and life in general. I'm back in school tomorrow after a two week vacation and look forward to sharing this one with my students. I'll be curious to know what others, old and young, think of this new offering from one of the grand old masters of silly.

Monica

-- 
Monica Edinger
The Dalton School
New York NY
edinger at dalton.org
monicaedinger at gmail.com

Received on Sun 03 Apr 2005 05:33:30 AM CDT