Exploding Gravy
 X.J. Kennedy
 (Associate Student Reviewer - Karrie G.)
 2002 Little Brown & Co
  ISBN: 0316384232


Poems To Make You Laugh.

Associate Student Reviewer Karrie G. writes:

A book of poems for children who like to laugh ranging from spooky to weird-family rhymes.

My favorite was “Sir Percival And The Drago”, a many-versed poem about a dragon convincing a knight not to slay him. Here's a verse from it:

“Though kings hold sway,
and swear they'll pay
The knight who works my slaughter
Half some dull town
An half old crown
And the hand of their cross-eyed
Daughter.”

Another amusing poem, one of my favorites, is about a girl who threatens her brothers with her pet dragon:

“So if you tell me I'm a dope
or call my muscles jelly
You might just dwell a million years
Inside his boiling belly.”

I recommend Exploding Gravy for children up to nine years of age. It's a very entertaining book & Joy Allen's illustrations are hilarious.

Exploding Gravy is a nice way to introduce children to poetry, which they perceive as dull. One look into this book will change their minds.

Other books by X.J. Kennedy: Knock At A Star & Talking Like The Rain.
(07/21/02)

Karrie G.
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Student Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
Karrie G. lives in The Netherlands. She is 15 years old, attends a Dutch Language School & is originally from Wisconsin, USA

Her favorite colors are: light blue, sea green, lavender & black!
Favorite sports are: swimming & soccer.
Favorite school subjects are: languages & creative writing class.
Favorite things to do are: playing the piano, reading, writing short stories & poetry, drawing & going to the movie theater.
The Netherlands is one of the smallest countries in Europe. Most people call the Netherlands Holland & it is about the size of Connecticut, but with a lot more people, sixteen million. You may think of tulips, chocolate, windmills & wooden shoes when you think of Holland. Although there are still lots of tulips & chocolate, & there are still some windmills, you wouldn't see many people wearing clogs today.