📖 Overview
Michael Rosen's Book of Very Silly Poems is a collection of humorous poetry aimed at young readers. The book includes both original works by Rosen and selected poems from other contemporary children's poets.
The poems cover everyday subjects like school, family life, and childhood experiences, presenting them through unexpected perspectives and wordplay. Illustrations appear throughout the pages to complement the verses.
The collection serves as an introduction to various poetic forms and styles while maintaining accessibility for its target audience. Through humor and absurdity, the book demonstrates how poetry can be a source of entertainment rather than a formal academic exercise.
👀 Reviews
Parents and teachers report this collection keeps children aged 5-10 engaged and laughing. Readers note the poems strike the right balance between silly humor and clever wordplay that appeals to both adults and kids.
Likes:
- Works well for reading aloud in classrooms
- Illustrations complement the humorous tone
- Gets reluctant readers interested in poetry
- Mix of short and long poems suits different attention spans
Dislikes:
- Some poems rely too heavily on nonsense words
- A few parents found certain poems too simple
- Limited appeal beyond age 10
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (298 ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (856 ratings)
Common reader comment: "Finally found poems my kids want to hear again and again"
Several teachers mention using these poems to introduce children to poetry, with one noting: "The silliness draws them in, then they start playing with language themselves."
📚 Similar books
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A collection of poems pairs dark humor with pencil sketches to tell tales of peculiar characters and impossible scenarios.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein This book of children's poetry mixes nonsense verses with line drawings to create stories of imagination and mischief.
The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky These poems feature monsters, food fights, and outlandish creatures through rhyming verses and wordplay.
The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry by Brian Patten, Roger McGough, Michael Rosen Ten contemporary poets contribute their most playful and eccentric poems with matching illustrations.
When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne The poems in this collection follow children's adventures and musings through simple rhymes and classic illustrations.
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein This book of children's poetry mixes nonsense verses with line drawings to create stories of imagination and mischief.
The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky These poems feature monsters, food fights, and outlandish creatures through rhyming verses and wordplay.
The Puffin Book of Utterly Brilliant Poetry by Brian Patten, Roger McGough, Michael Rosen Ten contemporary poets contribute their most playful and eccentric poems with matching illustrations.
When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne The poems in this collection follow children's adventures and musings through simple rhymes and classic illustrations.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Michael Rosen served as Britain's Children's Laureate from 2007-2009, championing the importance of poetry and humor in children's literature.
🎭 The book includes both Rosen's original poems and carefully curated selections from other poets, creating a diverse collection that appeals to various reading levels.
📚 Several poems in the collection have become popular choices for school performances and poetry recitals, particularly "Don't" and "Chocolate Cake."
🎨 The book features quirky illustrations by Clare Mackie, whose playful style perfectly complements the humorous nature of the poems.
✍️ Michael Rosen wrote many of these poems based on his own childhood experiences and his observations of his children, making them relatable to both young readers and their parents.