When my children were in 1st grade, just learning to read and write, I decided to inspire them with poetry and bought them bunch of poetry books specifically designed for children. There is a poetry appreciation center in the Greenwich Village area of New York City, which I visited a few years back and got tons of ideas and book suggestions from them.
Mary Ann Hoberman was one children’s poet that popped up in the conversion and was highly recommended. So I bought her “The Llama Who Had No Pajama” poetry book. I must confess I loved it much more then my children. It’s witty, smart, cute, funny and very educational. Time and again, I pull out these poetry books from their bookshelf and read it to them or to myself when I am in the mood.
Here is a little advice for children and adults a like….
Advice
If you’re sleepy in the jungle
And you wish to find a pillow,
Take a friendly word for warning:
DO NOT USE AN ARMADILLO!
Though an armadillo often
May roll up just like a pillow,
Do not go by his appearance
But go by with ample clearance.
For an armadillo’s armor
Is not suited for a pillow,
And an armadillo’s temper
Only suits an armadillo.
If you use him for a pillow,
Then beware of what will follow:
He may slip out while you’re sleeping
And an arm or two he’ll swallow.
(And any beast that leaves you armless
Can’t be classified as harmless!)
Nor will he beg your pardon
For his thoughtless peccadillo;
So the next time you go walking in the jungle
TAKE A PILLOW!
Mary Ann Hoberman
Don’t you just love it?
11 Comments:
Sitting leaned against a willow
once I saw an armadillo.
Believe, dear kids, it does no harm,
and never swallows any arm.
Still, true is that an armadillo
is not as soft as is a pillow.
[Mc Seanagall]
:)
Sean, love it! :) that is utterly cute, don't you think? :)
Now that confessions are going, every once in a while I read my two year old son a poetry book that I am much more enchanted by than he is. "Sheep in a Jeep." It cracks me up - every time - no matter what my mood is to begin with with.
Just to give you a taste (by my memory - as his book is in his room where he is sleeping):
"Sheep in a jeep on a hill that's steep.
Uh-oh! The jeep won't go!
Sheep leap to push the jeep.
Sheep shove, sheep grunt, sheep don't think to look up front...
Jeep goes splash, jeep goes thud, jeep goes deep in gooey mud..."
mberkmen, It is hard to express laughter on the internet, but all I can type is LOL... :):):)
If you see an armadillo
don't hit it with a bat of willow
That sort of bat is just the tickect for a restful game of cricket
So if you're looking for a pillow
Please never use an armadillo
If you want some comfort for your bed
Use a crocodile instead
Aye thangyou!
Excellent jams! :) :) I thought you would enjoy it.....
Dear Nevin,
I enjoyed your post so much last evening. Away from home today. No computer accessible here. Absolutely wanted to put down my two-cents'worth of poetry. Didacting to my son over the phone. He's laughing at his mom...Not the first time! Now back to the armadillo:
I say, "Enough!"
I can't; too tough
juggling
with words rhyming
when I'm sleeping
struggling
to keep away
all that's scary
in the rumble
of this jungle.
All the best, always!
My son (Martin) called to say he likes your post very much. You might have another fan, Nevin! :)
Keep well, and writing.:)
Claudia, thank you so much! Not only for your continuous contribution and appreciation of my blog but also including your son into it as well... :)
It is these little moments that makes me want to keep going... :)
A great poem Nevin. That sort of poetry entertains people of all ages.
However it may not have an much impact on Australian children, as there are no Armadillos in Australia.:)
If you’re hot within the jungle
And you wish you had worn a bandanna,
Take a friendly word for warning:
DO NOT USE AN ECHIDNA!
:) Yes this is good fun.
That is such a cute animal Ardent.... :) It is my dream to come to Australia to dive before I die. It's on my check list of things to do.... :)
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