I found this little gem of a book while perusing Señora‘s bookshelves for something to read as I was “reigning” on my throne. This book has been out a while, my issue lists the publishing date as 1981, but it has been so popular that there has been several special editions published since then.
While it is a book of poems with accompanying line drawings aimed at children, I found it very entertaining with more than a few that talked to me as an adult… or perhaps my inner child. One such example would be the following poem:
REFLECTION
Each time I see the Upside-Down Man
Standing in the water,
I look at him and start to laugh.
Although I shouldn’t oughtter,
For maybe in another world
Another time
Another town,
Maybe HE is right side up
And I am upside down.
Perhaps this poem spoke to me as I sometimes look in the mirror and wonder how the heck that old man managed to get into the looking glass.
Most poems are short, like the example above, others run for a couple pages. The line drawings obviously tie in with the poems, but occasionally they are needed to see the point of the poetry. The vast majority of the poems are humorous like this one:
STRANGE WIND
What a strange wind it was today,
Whistlin’ and whirlin’and scurlin’ away
Like a worried old woman with so much to say.
What a strange wind it was today.
What a strange wind it was today,
Cool and clear from a sky so grey
And my hat stayed on but my head blew away –
What a strange wind it was today.
But others have a serious message:
THE LITTLE BOY AND THE OLD MAN
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often cry.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
This book of poems makes me wish I had small children in the house – at least part time – to read it to. I would imagine most grade school age children would also love reading this book. Heck as a curmudgeonly old man I enjoyed it.
Available at fine book sellers everywhere and at Amazon: A Light in the Attic
And so it goes.
The first poem reminded of a story told about/by Lao Tzu – When I was asleep, I dreamed I was a butterfly. Now that I am awake, am I a butterfly dreaming I am a man?
My whole family looooves Shel Silverstein !!!!!!! He is an altimeter favorite!!!!!!