RECOMMENDED
FOR MARCH

CURRENTLY READING:

FEATURED ARTICLES

NEWEST BOOK REVIEWS

Review: Something Sure Smells Around Here: Limericks (Cleary/ Rowland)

AUTHOR: Brian Cleary
ILLUSTRATOR: Andy Rowland
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Millbrook Press
PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2015
ISBN: 9781467720441
PAGES: 32
SOURCE: NetGalley
GENRE: nonfiction; poetry; limerick
GIVE IT TO: elementary, MS

SUMMARY: Introduces readers to limerick poetry, what it is, and how to start writing limericks. Presents 26 original limerick-style poems. Each limerick has its own page and accompanying color illustration.

REVIEW: I have taught limerick poetry at the middle school and elementary level, both as a teacher and as a librarian. In my experience, students love reading and sharing limericks though many students, particularly those whose first language is not English, struggle with the rhythm and syllable count in limericks. For students to successfully write limericks, it is imperative that they practice listening to the rhythm and tapping out the beat in limericks.

Though I am a bit puzzled at the title (it’s part of one of the limericks), I really enjoyed the creativity of these limericks. When I have taught writing limericks to students, many of them like to begin their limericks with the phrase “There was an old man from…” or “There once was a girl from…” Of course, many limericks in books and online do begin this way, so it’s natural for students to emulate that. For this book, Clearly only starts one limerick with the word “There.” For the most part, he uses first lines like:

“Said little first-grader Pam Plunkett…” (p. 16)
“A French chef we all call Miss Margot…” (p. 20)
“Mom said our dog’s part retriever…” (p. 24)

The limericks in Something Sure Smells would be excellent examples to challenge students to begin their limericks without using the word “There.”

I also like how some of the limericks contain puns, idioms, and figures of speech. For example,

Click image to view larger

“Said clockmaker Hans Gerdenhopp,
As he suddenly came to a stop,
‘You can’t understand
A clock with one hand
I must go to a secondhand shop.” (p. 14)

 
Puns, idioms, and figures of speech can also be difficult to teach at the elementary level, especially with English language learners. For classrooms with many ELLs, the puns, idioms, and figures of speech within the limericks could be a way to differentiate instruction for stronger readers while still using the same limericks. Students could be challenged to find the puns, idioms, and figures of speech or to write their own punny limericks.

Limericks containing puns:

“A frog drove her car down the road…” (p. 7)
“Said clockmaker Hans Gerdenhopp…” (p. 14)
“I met a young spider named Deb…” (p. 19)

Containing idioms/figures of speech:
“A teacher of English, Miss White…” (p. 11)
“Early one Mother’s Day, Jake…” (p. 12)
“Biking, Mackenzie once rode…” (p. 28)

USES FOR TEACHERS/LIBRARIANS:

  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: Use as an introduction to poetry, syllables, and rhythm/beat. The first page describes how to write a limerick, but it probably won’t be very useful as a sole instructional guide. This is mainly a book of fun, illustrated limericks. Some of the limericks serve as examples of puns, idioms, and figures of speech.
  • MUSIC: Students read the limericks aloud together and use percussion instruments to tap out the beat.
  • OTHER: The poem “‘Ahoy!’ Said a pirate named MARRRRTY” (p. 15) would be fun each year on September 19, also known as International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This is a good addition to the many picture poetry books containing limericks. Libraries looking to add more limerick poetry to their collection will find much to love with this book.

STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: On order for our middle school collection.

READALIKES: Read, Recite, and Write Limericks (Macken); His Shoes Were Far Too Tight (Lear)

Presentation & layout: 5/5–colorful, excellent use of space

Quality of limericks: 4/5–A couple of the limericks are head-scratchers, but the majority are silly and punny.

Photos/illustrations: 5/5–Colorful drawings capture the silliness of the limericks. Every limerick has its own page and colorful illustration.

Documentation of sources: n/a–All the poems here are original, so no bibliography is included or necessary.

Front and back matter: 5/5–The entire book contains fun, colorful illustrations. Even the front and back flaps and the author/illustrator pages have fun, lively, colorful drawings. Also contains a “Further Reading” page which includes three recommended poetry books (one by Brian Cleary) and three limerick and poetry websites.

Engrossing: 5/5–Very easy to read and understand. Perfect for teachers, browsers, and reluctant readers who enjoy silly poetry.

Writing: 5/5–Original!

Appeal to target audience: 5/5–Especially useful for Grades 4-6.

Appropriate length: 5/5–Contains 26 short poems (only 5 lines each) spread over 32 pages. Readers can enjoy this book whether they read only a few limericks or the entire book.

CONTENT: No worries about content for younger readers.

  • Language: none
  • Sexuality: none
  • Violence: none
  • Drugs/Alcohol: none
  • Other: none
Like this blog? Get updates in your inbox whenever I post new content! Subscribe by clicking the green envelope below:

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop