My Hippo Has the Hiccups: And Other Poems I Totally Made Up (A Poetry Speaks Experience)
Grade 2–5—This is a zany and at times challenging volume of more than 100 poems, 39 of which are read by the author on an accompanying CD. Nesbitt's consistent rhythms and unforced rhymes make these poems readable, but his subject choices are what will amuse children: from not-too-smart talking dogs, to angry vegetables in a stew, to goofy dreams about pink-headed zebras, everything is fair game for wild interpretations and wordplay. "Learning Languages" illustrates this well: "My mom and dad learned Latin/many years ago in school./My brother's taking Spanish,/which he thinks is pretty cool./My sister studies French/because she loves the way they speak./But I just like computers/so I'm learning Ancient Geek." Long's spare line illustrations add humorous touches. This will be a popular addition to most collections.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.