Hilarious Poems for Kids (and Adults!)
It’s time to get silly! Let’s celebrate the birthday of Guy Wetmore Carryl, a writer who knew how to tickle a child’s funny bone. Born on March 4th, 1873, Carryl brought a special kind of goofiness to children’s literature. He’s famous for his clever poems and his ability to twist familiar tales into hilarious new shapes. If you haven’t heard of him, imagine a writer who took nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and fables, then added a big dose of playful silliness. That’s Guy Wetmore Carryl!
Why Carryl’s Humor Still Works Today
What makes Carryl so special, even after all this time? It’s his masterful use of language. He plays with words, creates funny rhymes, and comes up with unexpected twists that kids (and adults!) find utterly delightful. Think about how much fun it is to hear a familiar story told in a brand-new, ridiculous way. Carryl was a master of that! His poems are filled with wordplay, making reading a fun, brain-teasing game. This makes him not only entertaining, but also educational in a sneaky way.
Exploring Carryl’s Poetry: A World of Hilarious Nonsense
Carryl’s most well-known work is probably Fables for the Frivolous. These aren’t your typical Aesop-style fables with serious morals. Oh no! Carryl’s fables are much more interested in making you laugh. He takes the basic structure of a fable—a short story with animals and a lesson—and turns it on its head. The morals are often absurd or point out something unexpected. The rhymes are bouncy and fun, making them perfect for reading aloud. For example, here’s how one of his fables begins:
Upon the shore, a mile or more
From traffic and confusion,
An oyster dwelt, because he felt
A longing for seclusion;
Said he: “I love the stillness of
This spot. It’s like a cloister.”
(These words I quote because, you note,
They rhyme so well with oyster.)
The best introduction to Guy Wetmore Carryl is simply to read his poems aloud. Listen to the rhythm and the rhymes, and discover the humor for yourself. Don’t be afraid to use funny voices or act out the stories. The more you bring the poems to life, the more you enjoy them.
Try this: Pick one of Carryl’s poems and read it together with someone else. Then, talk about the original fable, fairy tale, or nursery rhyme it’s based on. What’s different? What’s the same? What makes Carryl’s version funny? This is also a great way to learn how parody works. You can find many of his poems online or in collected editions of his work.
Creating Your Own Carryl-Inspired Poems
Inspired by Carryl? Great! Try writing your own humorous poems. Think about a familiar fairy tale, nursery rhyme, or fable. What could you change to make it funny? Maybe you could give the characters silly names, change the ending, or add a ridiculous detail. The key is to play with words and not be afraid to be silly. Don’t worry about being perfect; just have fun!
For example, take “Little Red Riding Hood.” What if the wolf was actually allergic to grandmothers? Or what if Little Red Riding Hood decided to become a professional baker instead of visiting her grandmother? The possibilities are endless! The more you let your imagination run wild, the funnier your poems will be. And that’s exactly what Guy Wetmore Carryl would have wanted.
So, this March 4th, let’s celebrate Guy Wetmore Carryl and his amazing contribution to children’s literature. Let’s laugh, let’s play with words, and let’s embrace the joy of silly poetry! His work is a reminder that reading can be both educational and incredibly fun. Go ahead and share his poems with your friends and family. You might just spark a lifelong love of reading and a healthy appreciation for a good laugh. His legacy continues to inspire young readers and writers to find the humor in everything.
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