Does anyone have more fun with poetry for kids than J. Patrick Lewis? Well, at least he makes it look like fun, even if it's hard work. And that "effortless" quality is what good writing (no, I mean the best writing) for kids accomplishes. Here is a poem from his latest book, A COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER (which every grade-school teacher in America should buy and use - a poem a day in the classroom!):
BUTTON-DOWN BILL
Button-down Bill
Had buttons a-plenty.
He buttoned his buttons
Where he didn't have any.
He buttoned his shoes,
His pants and coat,
He buttoned his buttons
Till he buttoned his throat.
He buttoned his lips,
His ears and nose,
He buttoned his head
Like he buttoned his clothes!
He buttoned his kids
And he buttoned his wife.
"Button up" said Bill,
All his buttoned-down life.
So if you should hear
A buttoned-up shout,
That's button-down Bill...
PLLZZZ! LT ME OUUTT!
Button-down Bill
Had buttons a-plenty.
He buttoned his buttons
Where he didn't have any.
He buttoned his shoes,
His pants and coat,
He buttoned his buttons
Till he buttoned his throat.
He buttoned his lips,
His ears and nose,
He buttoned his head
Like he buttoned his clothes!
He buttoned his kids
And he buttoned his wife.
"Button up" said Bill,
All his buttoned-down life.
So if you should hear
A buttoned-up shout,
That's button-down Bill...
PLLZZZ! LT ME OUUTT!
What makes me suspect that Pat Lewis is not entirely buttoned-down like Bill? I can't wait to meet him - Pat, are we ever going to be in the same state at the same time?
A shout-out back at you, milady.
ReplyDeleteLittle, Brown and I thank you profoooosely for your kindness in posting for COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER.
Someday when the swallows dare and the tigers flare, yes, we'll meet under cover of darkness. To be fondly wished.
xo, Pat
I'm likewise a J. Patrick Lewis fan, and just as a heads-up to your readers, I'll be giving away a copy of Countdown to Summer this month at Cynsations (watch the blog next week for details)!
ReplyDeleteCyn - thanks! And to readers: Cyn's blog, CYNSATIONS, is linked in my Blog List. You should be checking Cynsations on a daily basis - it's a great source for links to good books for kids, interviews with authors & editors & agents, book give-aways, publishing and marketing news, etc. Cynthia Leitich Smith should be declared a National Treasure (and maybe even a resource for Alternate Energy Sources???)
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the Poetry Friday gathering this week. I share your enthusiasm for Pat and COUNTDOWN (and Cynthia and Cynsations!) and "Button Down Bill" which Pat also generously shared in my book, POETRY ALOUD HERE. What a great group!
Sylvia
Julie,
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting around to reading some of last week's Poetry Friday posts. I'd like to add my voice to your "shout-out" for Pat Lewis. I love his light verse for kids and adults! My elementary students loved his humorous poems.
My hat's off to you, Pat!!!