This seemed like an appropriate first book to be reviewed on Mappy Hama! When I was given this book a few years ago from a friend, who knows me well, I fell in love! I have since given copies to my parents and each of my siblings who have often got a good laugh from my idiosyncrasy. (My Dad’s favorite is “a sterile spycase”-translation spiral staircase.) WARNING: a challenging read aloud for most people (my mother cannot read this book aloud!) but if you can do it what fun! The kids just giggle their heads off at Silverstein’s choice of words to spoonerize (reversing first letters/sounds of words). For example “his wamma mashed him with the clothes”, “he brought teanuts and some pea”, and “shrinking the dampoo”.
An 87 page book of short poems build Runny Babbit as a lovable, fallible character. Of course I identify with this sometimes misguided character, but I think your family will too. Silverstein illustrates the book with his usual playful manner, often adding to the meaning of the poems with his illustrations. It is a great exercise for kids of all ages to relax and listen and see if you can translate. When they “get it” they are so thrilled!
If you are fans of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A light in the Attic, Falling Up, and The Giving Tree as we are, (all highly recommended!) then be sure to check out Runny Babbit for it is a very Billy Sook to love.
* Just a note about Uncle Shelby’s ABZ’s–not for small children! I remember reading it as kid and not “getting” all–this one is grown-up humor.
