Reading, Rhyming, and 'Rithmetic

by Dave Crawley, Liz Callen (Illustrator)

Another zany day at school. Judy is caught kissing Justin. Vanessa is eating paste. Mrs. Reilly, a teacher, turns into a ghoul from the dark side of the moon. And Ollie, the classroom mascot, who happens to be a seven-foot-long snake, is chasing Principal Poole. In other words, it's a day at school as imagined by Dave Crawley, author of the popular Cat Poems and Dog Poems. With lively illustrations by Liz Callen, this comical collection examines everything from taking tests, coming up with ever more original excuses for not doing homework, and the shock of seeing a teacher on a Saturday, buying groceries like an actual human being.

Genres: Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book of poems humorously captures the experiences of young children in elementary and middle school. Subjects of the poems range from possibly cheating on a test to running into a teacher on a Saturday to disliking their bus experience. The rhymes are short and simple, which makes them very easy to read. Young children would be amused by these poems and the accompanying illustrations. It is intended for grades 1-3.

[Donalyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This funny book of school poems doesn't offer anything new. The poems stick to familiar topics like cafeteria food, riding the bus, and dreaming of summer vacation. It also bothered me that the boy who narrates each poem seems to hate every aspect of school! I prefer Kalli Dakos' school poems-- more surprises and emotional depth.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pedestrian, typical poems about the narrator's troubles at school from getting up in the morning, social and time management challenges, substitute teachers, seeing a teacher outside of school, to school vacations.