Children's Poet Laureate

Did you know there's a children's poet laureate?

Yep, Jack Prelutsky.

I'm not always keen on the idea that children's poetry has to be silly, because it doesn't -- it underestimates a child's ability to appreciate imagery and language. However, silliness isn't always a bad thing, and I did enjoy this one. Visit his Web site and see what else he has to offer!


My Mother Says I’m Sickening

My mother says I’m sickening,
my mother says I’m crude,
she says this when she sees me,
playing Ping-Pong with my food,
she doesn’t seem to like it
when I slurp my bowl of stew,
and now she’s got a list of things
she says I mustn’t do-

DO NOT CATAPULT THE CARROTS!
DO NOT JUGGLE GOBS OF FAT!
DO NOT DROP THE MASHED POTATOES
ON THE GERBIL OR THE CAT!
NEVER PUNCH THE PUMPKIN PUDDING!
NEVER TUNNEL THROUGH THE BREAD!
PUT NO PEAS INTO YOUR POCKET!
PLACE NO NOODLES ON YOUR HEAD!
DO NOT SQUEEZE THE STEAMED ZUCCHINI!
DO NOT MAKE THE MELON OOZE!
NEVER STUFF VANILLA YOGURT
IN YOUR LITTLE SISTER’S SHOES!
DRAW NO FACES IN THE KETCHUP!
MAKE NO LITTLE GRAVY POOLS!

I wish my mother wouldn’t make
so many useless rules

By Jack Prelutsky
From The New Kid on the Block