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Pocketful of Nonsense
James Marshall’s outrageous wit brings new life to old classics and to original limericks by Marshall himself. Readers young and old will delight in wacky interpretations of “Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear” and classic jump-rope rhymes like “Teddy Bear” and “Cinderella.” This treasure trove of nonsensical verse will have you laughing out loud and begging for more.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1992
About the author
James Marshall
153 books146 followersJames Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.
It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.
In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 30, 2020
Lots of nonsense!
September 20, 2023
Genre: poetry
Grade: K-3
I like how the poems are not only funny but are rather complex. Because if this they can be enjoyed by all ages. I like how the poems are based off of animals doing odd things. I think it adds a sense of humor. I also like the poetry in the book and I think it shows great examples to students of what a poem looks like.
Grade: K-3
I like how the poems are not only funny but are rather complex. Because if this they can be enjoyed by all ages. I like how the poems are based off of animals doing odd things. I think it adds a sense of humor. I also like the poetry in the book and I think it shows great examples to students of what a poem looks like.
September 20, 2017
Some typical rhymes that students may know such as "Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear" and similar ones to that. Because of the poetry and rhymes, it helps students with their language development. Very interesting to read especially when they are rhymes that I have never heard of.
December 3, 2017
I read this classic from my childhood out to read to my 3-year-old today, and she and I enjoyed the rhymes and silliness - though some of the scenes (like the spider in the photo booth) were a bit scary to her.
April 19, 2021
This took me right back to jumping rope at recess in 3rd grade. Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Cinderella dressed in yella, and 19 more.
March 22, 2012
We read half this book last week for poetry, and finished it today. The boys seemed to enjoy it and laughed for several of them. The pictures are bright and colorful and downright silly. When we finished I asked how they liked it. I heard, "Weird" and "A little funny but mostly just weird" and "Okay". Not the best opinions but not the worst. Surprisingly they asked to read some more "traditional" poetry next time around. Who knew?
April 17, 2009
Fun poems and limericks that bring back a lot of memories for me. Our girls liked them, but aren't very familiar with the puns and word play associated with limericks yet.
May 21, 2010
20 different rhymes to help children smile and laugh can be found in this book.
November 26, 2010
This is a book that consists of 20 different poems. Fun to read aloud and to teach students rhyming words.
April 5, 2013
I like the illustrations in this book. I also like the little rhymes.
April 10, 2013
A pocketful of poems with the author/illustrator's very distinctive and fun illustrations.
April 14, 2013
The humor is unique and hilarious.
October 6, 2015
This is a neat poem book. Small rhyming poems with fun illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews