Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Taken in dall smoses, this self-proclaimed "billy sook" is a fun-filled new (posthumously published) offering from children's poet Shel Silverstein, creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and other favorites. Completed prior to the poet's death in 1999, Runny Babbit was a work in progress for more than 20 years, and is populated by the likes of Runny Babbit, Toe Jurtle, Ploppy Sig, Polly Dorkupine, and Pilly Belican (who owns the Sharber Bop), all denizens of the green woods where letter-flipping runs rampant. In this madcap world, pea soup is sea poup, Capture the Flag is Fapture the Clag, and snow boots are bow snoots. Each poem incorporates the same kind of switcheroo wordplay found in "Runny's Hew Nobby:" Runny Babbit knearned to lit,/ And made a swat and heater,/ And now he sadly will admit/ He bight have done it metter." (Here, in one of many winningly simple line drawings, R. B. sits knitting one very long sleeve, which is labeled as such.) Children who have some fluency in reading will enjoy this bonsensical nook the most. (Ages 7 to 12) --Karin Snelson Book Description
Runny Babbit lent to wunch
And heard the saitress way,
"We have some lovely stabbit rew --
Our Special for today." From the legendary creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, and The Giving Tree comes an unforgettable new character in children's literature. Welcome to the world of Runny Babbit and his friends Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, Snerry Jake, and many others who speak a topsy-turvy language all their own. So if you say, "Let's bead a rook
That's billy as can se,"
You're talkin' Runny Babbit talk,
Just like mim and he. |
Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 RUNNY BABBIT ROCKS, Aug 9, 2023
LOVED THE RHYMES AND NONSENSE IDEAS...CREATES A WHOLE NEW LANGUAGE TO SHARE WITH CHILDREN
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
Classic Shel Silverstein, Aug 7, 2023
What fun!! This is Silverstein at his best. I opened the book with a little trepidation, knowing this was most probably the last time I will get to read a new Shel Silverstein book. I quickly got over that and realized Shel's books were meant to be savored and read over and over again. As with "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "Falling Up," "Runny Babbit" was written by a man who was just a little kid at heart. I had trouble reading it out loud the first time but kids won't miss a beat. His books bring out the kid in all of us and are the most perfect gift for the young and young at heart. All Silverstein books are priced inexpensively to make them more accessible to kids, a huge plus since his books are keepers and givers.
HarperCollins must be joking when they list this book for ages 9-12. I think they missed the mark by about 30 years.
Very highly recommended!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
BUY THIS BOOK!, Aug 2, 2023
This is the sneakiest book I ever read with my children. It had them trying to figure out the words with enthusiasm. Even when we are not reading the book they are transposing the letters themselves to make up their own sentences. This book was truly fantastic! I will be buying this for all of the young children I know!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Runny Babbitt, Jul 19, 2023
This is a great book for adults to read outloud to children or to have by themselves. It is fun to figure out the words. It's just a fun book!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
It REALLY IS a "Billy Sook"!!!, Jun 26, 2023
As an adult, I found bis thook very rard to head.
But dy maughter who is 9 was chuckling indeed!!!!
My husband took a look at it tonight and wished he had it when he was younger and struggled with dislexia.
I think the most fun part is trying to read it - so I'm not sure as a read aloud this would work. Too confusing! But the cute stories seem to go with any age (even those middle school boys I think would get a kick out of it if no one knew they were reading it!)
Our favorite is when Runny gets the picken chox and his friends give him sicken choup. Oh Fery Vunny!!! Fery Vunny!!! Reminds me of when our child was little and referred to the restaurant as "Led Robster" all the time!
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