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The Norton Book of Light Verse
A collection of entertaining limericks, ballads, lyrics, double dactyls, and more conventional poems by such masters as Ogden Nash, Phyllis McGinley, Anthony Hecht, E.B. White, Edward Lear and John Updike. A collection of 400 poems arranged in eighteen thematic sections.
452 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 1986
About the author
Russell Baker
68 books100 followersOn August 14, 1925, US journalist, humorist and biographer Russell Baker was born in Loudoun County, Virginia. His father died early on and his hard-working mother reared him and his sisters during the Great Depression. Baker managed to get himself into Johns Hopkins University, where he studied journalism.
Baker’s wit as a humorist has been compared with that of Mark Twain. “The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer,” wrote Baker, “and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I would never be fit for real work, and that writing didn’t require any.” In 1979, Baker received his first Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in his “Observer” column for the New York Times (1962 to 1998). His 1983 autobiography, Growing Up earned him a second Pulitzer. In 1993, Baker began hosting the PBS television series Masterpiece Theatre.
Neil Postman, in the preface to Conscientious Objections, describes Baker as "like some fourth century citizen of Rome who is amused and intrigued by the Empire's collapse but who still cares enough to mock the stupidities that are hastening its end. He is, in my opinion, a precious national resource, and as long as he does not get his own television show, America will remain stronger than Russia." (1991, xii)
Baker’s wit as a humorist has been compared with that of Mark Twain. “The only thing I was fit for was to be a writer,” wrote Baker, “and this notion rested solely on my suspicion that I would never be fit for real work, and that writing didn’t require any.” In 1979, Baker received his first Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary in his “Observer” column for the New York Times (1962 to 1998). His 1983 autobiography, Growing Up earned him a second Pulitzer. In 1993, Baker began hosting the PBS television series Masterpiece Theatre.
Neil Postman, in the preface to Conscientious Objections, describes Baker as "like some fourth century citizen of Rome who is amused and intrigued by the Empire's collapse but who still cares enough to mock the stupidities that are hastening its end. He is, in my opinion, a precious national resource, and as long as he does not get his own television show, America will remain stronger than Russia." (1991, xii)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 21, 2023
The Pecan. The Toucan
Very few can
Tell the Toucan
From the Pecan–
Here’s a new plan:
To take the Toucan from the tree,
Requires im-mense a-girl-i-tee
While anyone can pick with ease
The Pecans from the Pecan trees.
It’s such as easy thing to do,
That even the Toucan he can too.
-Robert Williams Wood
The book, The Norton Book of Light Verse by Russell Baker is a collection of poems, and within these poems there is the poem, “The Pecan The Toucan”. This poem is my personal favorite because of how the author, Robert Wood, incorporates the rhyming pattern. The rhyming pattern for this poem goes A-A-A-A, B-B-B-B and C-C. There is also rhyming inside of the poem that makes it almost seem almost like a tongue twister. In the poem the author is also able to convey the difference between the Pecan and the Toucan by comparing their weight indirectly. He is able to do all of this within only ten lines. Out of all of the poems, “The Norton Book of Light Verse '' by Russell Baker, “The Pecan The Toucan” is my personal favorite. I recommend this collection of light verse to anyone that enjoys poetry.
Very few can
Tell the Toucan
From the Pecan–
Here’s a new plan:
To take the Toucan from the tree,
Requires im-mense a-girl-i-tee
While anyone can pick with ease
The Pecans from the Pecan trees.
It’s such as easy thing to do,
That even the Toucan he can too.
-Robert Williams Wood
The book, The Norton Book of Light Verse by Russell Baker is a collection of poems, and within these poems there is the poem, “The Pecan The Toucan”. This poem is my personal favorite because of how the author, Robert Wood, incorporates the rhyming pattern. The rhyming pattern for this poem goes A-A-A-A, B-B-B-B and C-C. There is also rhyming inside of the poem that makes it almost seem almost like a tongue twister. In the poem the author is also able to convey the difference between the Pecan and the Toucan by comparing their weight indirectly. He is able to do all of this within only ten lines. Out of all of the poems, “The Norton Book of Light Verse '' by Russell Baker, “The Pecan The Toucan” is my personal favorite. I recommend this collection of light verse to anyone that enjoys poetry.
August 1, 2007
This definitive collection of light verse in English is a bedside table book at its finest. Read a few verses each evening before retiring, and you're sure to go to sleep with a smile on your face. Not only are all my favorites such as Ogden Nash, Don Marquis, and W.S. Gilbert here, but there is verse by dozens of writer's I'd never heard, so this anthology served as a springboard to further reading and appreciation for the (not as easy as it looks) art of light verse.
February 28, 2019
In the process of weeding books from my shelves (SO HARD TO DO!) I came across this gem and read it cover to cover. The "Light Verse" of the title is varied from childish humor to sophisticated wit and I enjoyed some selections more than others. (I'll never tire of Ogden Nash or Dorothy Parker). The book was edited by the terrific journalist, Russell Baker, who just died last month. Cheers to him for editing this collection.
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June 4, 2025gift from my grandma :) very silly
January 6, 2019
The single best anthology of light verse that I know. Over 500 poems selected by Pulitzer Prize winning commentator Russell Baker (and with an excellent introduction by him). Everything from 'Summer is y-comen in' and its modern parodies, to Shakespeare and Marlowe, Noel Coward and Cole Porter, Allen Ginsberg and John Lennon.
April 7, 2024
As in any anthology, the individual items range from meh to true gems. I enjoyed finding that many of what I thought of as serious writers also produced snarky doggerel. Published in 1986, the selection is heavily skewed towards "canonical," i.e. western/white/male. It would be lovely to see a more wide-ranging update.
November 30, 2018
I've had this book for probably 30 years. I return to it all the time and it always makes me happy. I have read, am reading and want to read.
December 14, 2023
Excellent anthology of poetry. For the most part, not dated, even though it's from 1986. The photo of the editor cracking up on the back cover perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the book.
August 24, 2015
What a delightful book. The chosen verses are easy to read, fairly diverse in terms of authorship and provenance (and, thankfully, Baker doesn't shy away from including song lyrics when applicable), and just great poetry. This was a great before-bed read and will definitely be something to which I return on rainy days and when I need a smile. The categories/chapters were also well considered and not laborious as some poetry collections can be. I'm so glad I found this gem.
September 12, 2007
One of my favorite books/collections - and one of the few I've actually kept on hand to reread over and over again. I can always find something to read to lighten the mood and bring a smile to my face. Great book for bedside or crapper!
June 19, 2016
A charming collection of verse divided into categories that make it easy to find what you are looking for. There are a wide selection of authors and time periods to wander through. An enjoyable introduction to light poetry.
June 11, 2010
Trip-tiered taunting with tallow, sallow and hallowed wit--enough to bring my mind out of thunderclouds any day.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews