Pocketful of Nonsense [Hardcover]

James Marshall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 4-9. First published last year as a Golden Book and now available in a format more suitable for libraries, this illustrated collection of 20 nonsense rhymes is a riot. It ranges from traditional rhymes such as "Cinderella, dressed in yella," to "There was an old man of Blackheathÿ20/ who sat on his set of false teeth. / Said he with a start, / "Oh Lord, bless my heart! / I've bitten myself underneath," to four original limericks by Marshall. As funny as the rhymes are, the real treasure here, of course, is the deadpan humor of the artwork. Although this a book for reading aloud, it's even better for children to share with one another. Happily and unrepentantly unsuitable for classroom "sustained silent reading" times, this is one book of verse that few will read without laughing out loud. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Fifteen traditional limericks and other nonsense rhymes, plus five in the same spirit by the late illustrator (``Antoinette Leach came in from the beach/with a lobster asleep in her curls...''), each visualized in fairly literal fashion, without many of the witty graphic embroideries at which Marshall was so adept. Still, the inimitable caricatures and masterful sense of design are all his; and it's good to have his takes on such perennial rib-ticklers as the gentleman waving the mouse he's just found in his stew, or the ``old man of Blackheath'' being bitten when he sits on his own false teeth. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618341870
• ISBN-13: 978-0618341870
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,247,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is fun!, December 3, 2006

By 

D. Kozlowski "juliank" (santa monica) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pocketful of Nonsense (Paperback)

My son (age 5) loves this book. We have to read it to him at least once a week for the past 6 months. He memorized all, but keep laughing every time! The pictures are funny too. It is my son's favorite book (it comes before the Magic Tree House series, which is another favorite).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, November 8, 2010

By 

M. Gleespen (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pocketful of Nonsense (Hardcover)

I love this book, and so do my sons (ages 5 and 13). Funny limericks (clean) and the usual amusing Marshall illustrations with comments. After reading it one afternoon, we sat around making up silly limericks together. Short book but lots of laffs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loads of Fun, October 6, 2010

By 

Andrea Nicole Young - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pocketful of Nonsense (Hardcover)

My children (ages 7, 5, 4, and 2) all this book! It is full of nonsense--and all of it fun! My husband also loves this book and reads the poems with a great deal of emotion, which creates a great deal of laughter around our house. Love it.