For Laughing Out Loud: Poems to Tickle Your Funnybone

For Laughing Out Loud Poems to Tickle Your Funnybone , selected by Jack Prelutsky, is a fun poetry collection meant for younger elementary children. Each page is colorfully illustrated with pen and ink and watercolors. This book does not have a table of contents, only an index to refer to. There seems to be some rhyme and reason to the placement of the poems, however. For example, pages 62-76 features poems involving animals: “I Thought I’d Take My Rat to School” by Colin McNaughton; “The Last Cry of the Damp Fly” by Dennis Lee; “Never Take a Pig to Lunch” by Susan Schmeltz and others about angry hens, a canary, a hippopotamus, mules, an elephant, etc. X.J. Kennedy’s poem “Sea Horse and Sawhorse” is a fun wordplay, show more tongue twister poem about a sea horse that wants to play with a sawhorse on a seesaw, and the use of alliteration is apparent and the fun begins when it is read aloud. Another tongue twister full of alliteration is "Friendly Fredrick Fuddlestone" by Arnold Lobel. The tone of the poems in this book is humorous and fun. The poems are aimed more to expose children to the fun of poetry without being too technical. The poems do get children to think, however. Take "Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face" by Jack Prelutsky. The poem humorously suggests the best place for one's nose in on one's face...not "sandwiched in between your toes,/that clearly would not be a treat,/for you'd be forced to smell your feet." Such playful suggestions, along with rhyme scheme a/a/b/b allow children to ponder why their bodies are made the way they are. "Anyone Seen My...?" by Max Fatchen is a funny poem about people who misplace their things and ends with "They can't think where...but, most unfair,/They go and borrow mine." A lesson with some humor on putting things away, as well as a warning to watch who you lend your things to, without being preachy. Overall, a good book of humorous poems that can be used as an introductory tool. show less

Although none of these poems are particularly deep or thought provoking it does get children reading poetry. There are many play on words, and implications that readers would find fun and helpful to gain new vocabulary. Illustrations add to the fun. I don't think I would use this collection for assigned in-class reading for assignments or discussion purposes, but this would be useful for students to read on their own - to keep them reading. Might be fun to select a poem with new vocabulary words to read and discuss on a Friday.

Priceman's watercolor illustrations are colorful and full of movement and whimsy.

I absoultely love this poetry book by Jack Prelutsky that has lots of rhythm, imagery, and assocance. Laughing Out Loud is also uses alot of personification, and imagery. It is hilerious!

This is a collection of funny poems (small and long) on a variety of topics that children will love, chosen by Jack Prelutsky. Each page has a theme, for example: monsters, animals, school, food.

The book is a good collection of poems for students in 2nd-5th grade. It's really engaging and has a variety of poems that can used in a poetry unit of study. And who can't love Jack Prelutsky??

Summary: This book is a funny collection of poems used to introduce children to the concept of poetry. Prelutsky uses humor to draw kids in and make them laugh as they are learning.

Reflection: I believe using humor to interest children in a new subject is a great way to get them excited about learning a new genre of literature. The silly poems use rhymes and alliteration.

Extension Ideas:
1. Ask children to make a list of ten words and find words that rhyme with each of them.
2. Have the children write a silly poem and illustrate it.
3. Allow children to pick their favorite poem from the book and share it with the class

There are a few duds in this collection, but, as a whole, this book is delightful.

A great collection of hilarious poems for when you might be feeling blue or just need a good laugh.