From School Library Journal
Grade 3-4-- A collection of more than 100 poems that explore a child's view of the world. When the poems work, they work well, offering accessible images. Too often, though, Moss, mining the same territory as Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, seems to have skimmed the surface. The words don't form poems, careful creations of an event, sensation, or character. Rather, they seem to stay in their informal, draft state. He writes words in a stream, and uses rhyme schemes that don't quite fit ("Let this poem be a lesson/ For nice parents everywhere:/ If you send your kids to bed,/ They may be . . ./ Digested by a bear.") Demarest's line drawings have genuine verve and humor, extending the comic potential of each poem he illustrates. Still, what lies on the other side of this book's cover is more inanity than poetry. --Kathleen Whalin, formerly at Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County, OH
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
A broad collection of verse on subjects from the lighthearted or nonsensical (``The McSloppys''; ``Why It's Hard to Be Romantic If You're an Octopus'') to the everyday (``If You Make Me Go to Bed Now''; ``Eleven Reasons My Big Sister Gives for Not Playing with Me When Our Parents Are Out''). The poems are filled with good-natured humor and funny images, but, in the end, none of them is especially memorable. Moss's poetic style is highly derivative (particularly of Shel Silverstein); and sometimes his meter simply doesn't work. Demarest's appealing line drawings complement the light tone. (Poetry. 7-11) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
From the Publisher
This companion volume to The Butterfly Jar, is a wise and whimsical collection of poems to be read aloud, shared, laughed over and savored.
From the Inside Flap
on volume to The Butterfly Jar, is a wise and whimsical collection of poems to be read aloud, shared, laughed over and savored.
