This book is a compilation of different poems, all varying in length, style, and pattern. This book would be really great to use to teach poetry, because it has examples of all of the different styles of poetry, different types of rhyme, as well as different patterns. ( )

This was a fun read and would be a great book to get children interested in poetry. The poems and the illustrations are both comical and entertaining. Proves that good poetry doesn't need to be about roses, love and depth. ( )

A collection of fine poems for children reminiscent of some Shel Silverstein work, with illustrations that seem to be throwbacks to the very popular Saturday morning cartoons featured by School House Rock, and the Electric Company. Baseball-o-grams is a catchy (ha) little number. This would be a good book to have around the classroom in that it can be read in segments, and does not rely on a linear narrative. Fun time reading! ( )

These humorous poems varied in quality and content. Some were very lighthearted while some were rather dark. I enjoyed the illustrations. This book might be a good choice for middle-school aged children.

Grades 3 and up

J. Patrick Lewis's latest collection of poetry is a delight-- full of wordplay, riddles, and silliness. Abundant spot art by Matthew Cordell, reminiscent of Quentin Blake, nicely complements the nonsensical humor. Poems vary in length and style; for example, the poem titled "Rules for Tightrope Walking Between Tall Buildings" on page 41 reads

1. Whatever you do, don't laugh.
2. Avoid looking down at the traf-

A few other favorites: "Universagrams" (p. 56), composed entirely of anagrams; "The Universal Turtle Verse" (p. 121), a tribute to Shel Silverstein; "Elsewhere in the Universe" (p. 140), from which the title is drawn; and "I'm the Library Lady" (p. 144), which kids may not appreciate quite as much as all of the librarians out there!

An excellent collection to add wherever Lewis's poetry is in demand.

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