The Hopeful Trout and Other Limericks [Paperback]

John Ciardi (Author), Susan Meddaugh (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 1992 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Forty-one hilarious limericks by the late poet are humorously illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 - 6-- This collection of 41 limericks is a wonderful gift, perpetuating Ciardi's humor and sure verbal craftsmanship. Meddaugh's black-and-white line drawings perfectly underscore the fun in each offering. Whether using a traditional opening as in "Sometimes Even Parents Win" ("There was a young lady from Gloucester/ Who complained that her parents both bossed her") or exploring word sounds as in "The Fast Fiddler" ("There was a fast fiddler from Middletown/ Who fiddled hi-diddle-dee-diddle-down"), Ciardi remains in effortless control. The Hopeful Trout brims with life and teasing and giggles. --Kathleen Whalin, Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"One page after another prompts a chuckle and begs to be shared." Kirkus Reviews with Pointers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (January 20, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395616166
• ISBN-13: 978-0395616161
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,197,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Hopeful Trout and Other Limericks", September 22, 2000

By 

Elizabeth A. Ferraro (Farmington Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The hopeful trout and other limericks (Hardcover)

This poetry book contains all limericks. There are 5 chapters, which include 39 limericks. Each limerick contains its own special uniqueness. The characters used in this book are people, animals, and insects. There are a couple old geezers working on their friendship, a Martian named Zed, and young lady named Sue. They are all extremely original, humorous, and imaginative characters.

The limerick titled, "The Hopeful Trout (Poor Fish!)" is found in the second chapter. The chapter is titled, "It Came from Outerspace." It is a very optimistic tale, which leads one to believe that there will always be another chance. However, in its conclusion the reader must decide on whether the trout will make it or not.

This is a great book to read aloud to a group of children, or to just one child at bedtime. It is very playful and easy to follow. Children will be able to identify with the situations in a funny way, and may also learn a lesson or two! Susan Meddaugh is the illustrator(which are quite cute and simple)and the work is done in all black and white.

5.0 out of 5 stars Start an Addiction, August 23, 2007

By 

Lynn Hoffman, author:The Short Course in Beer (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Hopeful Trout and Other Limericks (Paperback)

This is a great opportunity to get your kid hooked!
Limericks have an appealing rhythm and their simple
meter and extremely tolerant rhyme scheme invite kids
to play along.
By about age six,(when some of the rhymes in the book
may be losing their appeal) it's time to turn to your
young listener and say :"There was a young woman named
Annie..." and invite her to make up a rhyme.

Your reward could be a child with a lifetime addiction
to silliness. You could, believe me, do a lot worse.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of New Short Course in Wine,The and
bang BANG: A Novel ISBN 9781601640005