LitPick Review
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Robert Hoyman’s Limerick Comics is filled with limericks written by the author about various aspects of science and social studies. A few about healthy eating, the importance of not smoking, and safe food handling are great reminders of the lessons adults always want kids to learn, but most of the limericks focus on interesting facts about numerous topics such as remora fish, steeplejacks/ironworkers, or Portland cement that many kids probably don’t know about on their own. Throughout the book, each page is a colorful series of well-illustrated comic panels that contain each line of the limerick while the last panel always explains the limerick or gives background information about it. In case someone needs help understanding some of the vocabulary used, a glossary is included that defines each word in an easy to understand way. Overall, it’s a unique 30 page book that’s a special treat to read!
Opinion:
Limerick Comics is a simply written picture book that has more information in it than seems possible. It’s written for kids ages 8-12 whether they are reluctant or avid readers, but I bet parents and kids would enjoy reading it together for a good laugh and to learn some fun new facts. It’d also be great for teachers to share in class when they introduce students to limericks for the first time. I think blending comics with limericks helps motivate kids to take an interest in poetry and shows how reading or writing our own poems doesn’t have to feel scary. The book helped me realize limericks aren’t complicated either. They basically come from arranging a few words line by line while playing around with how they rhyme. They can be about any topic we choose, and it doesn’t even matter whether they turn out to be serious or funny poems. For me, reading this book was educational and entertaining. If I ever need to write my own limerick, it won’t feel like so much work. It’ll be fun!
