The Word Party

The author of A Mouse in My Roof presents a selection of forty-eight original, humorous, and poignant poems about bananas, polar bears, monsters, badgers, and a cushion complaining about the heavy weight on it.

Grade 3-5-- A poetry import that misses the mark, and sometimes the beat. Much like Jack Prelutsky, Edwards's themes are fun and quirky; however, his mastery of nonsense needs polish. Youngsters will enjoy the 20-line "Why?" which addresses pressing issues of child wonderment, and "A Confession," which is full of nonsense words that will incite giggles. However, a definite British sensibility limits the slim volume's effectiveness; words such as "bracken," "creels," and "jinking" are intrusive, but are often needed to complete a rhyme. The meter is often off, especially on closing lines. Lawrence's Goreyesque, pen-and-ink drawings have a New Yorker flair; they're too sophisticated for the tone of the volume and are, for the most part, small and sketchy. The book's technical problems outweigh the few laudable lines; stick to Edward Lear for more lilting, cohesive, and amusing verse. --Sharon Korbeck, Milwaukee Public Library
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