My little brother took my Switch
to stream a game or two on Twitch.
But, when he tried to turn it on,
my Switch would not play Pokémon.
My Switch would not play Mario,
or Donkey Kong, or Yu-Gi-Oh!,
or Minecraft, or Monopoly,
or Captain Toad, or Pikmin 3,
Jurassic Park, or Kingdom Hearts,
or any game with racing karts,
or Shovel Knight, or Dragon Ball,
or, really, any game at all.
He gave it back and said, “It’s broke.”
I had to giggle at my joke.
I switched my Switch and played a trick.
I’d given him my painted brick.
Calling all children! Please lend me your ears.
We vote for a President every four years.
We have an election that’s coming up soon,
and we need your help, so turn off that cartoon
and give me a moment or two of your time
by reading the rest of this short, simple rhyme.
The vote is the way that the people decide,
which person will lead us, and act as our guide.
You can’t cast your vote till you’re grown-up, it’s true,
but, still, there is something that all kids can do.
Remember this poem, these words that I wrote,
and go ask your parents and teachers to vote.
For several years now I have been doing live, interactive webinars in conjunction with Streamable Learning, the leading provider of interactive livestreams in the K-12 market in the US and Canada. Through quality educational content and an easy-to-use platform, Streamable Learning aims to in introduce interactive livestreams as a valuable supplemental tool for classrooms and families seeking to inspire and educate their K-12 students.
During the 2020-21 school year, I will be providing 27 online webinars, including interactive poetry-writing lessons, holiday poetry sessions, and programs on famous children’s poets from Dr. Seuss to Shel Silverstein. Schools are invited to join any of these sessions as my guest.
Streamable Learning and Zoom
If you haven’t yet used Zoom, I think you’re going to love it. Zoom is a free videoconferencing program similar to Skype, but with clearer, more reliable audio and video.
Streamable Learning offers a convenient, cost-effective, and comprehensive calendar of interactive livestreams delivered by subject matter experts and designed to supplement your existing and future lesson plans. To discover hundreds of engaging, educational programs, have a look a their Livestream Calendar.
I have been offering interactive poetry livestreams through Streamable Learning for several years now, and I hope you’ll be able to join me this year. You can register and participate in as many of these upcoming sessions as you like.
If you would like to attend one of my programs, please see the list of registration links shown below. When you click on the link, you will need to fill out just a few items and once you have finished the form, you will then receive an email with the livestream link. If you do not, please check your spam folder. It is possible that the livestream link will end up there. To join the program, you will need to download the Zoom app. You can download this free app at www.zoom.us/download and click on “Zoom Client for Meetings.” If you have any difficulty, contact efriedman@streamablelearning.com.
If you would prefer to arrange a private interactive videoconference for your class or school only, simply click here to schedule an online author visit. I look forward to seeing your students online!
Liverwurst Pie, oh, Liverwurst Pie.
The first time I tried it I thought I would die.
It tasted disgusting. I couldn’t say why.
I just knew I didn’t like Liverwurst Pie.
Liverwurst Pie, oh, Liverwurst Pie.
The next time I tried it I started to cry.
It wasn’t as bad as the first time, but why
would anyone ever eat Liverwurst Pie?
The third time I tried it I thought, my oh my,
I don’t think I’ll die, and I won’t even cry.
But still, I would tell you that I’m not a guy
who ever would learn to like Liverwurst Pie.
The fourth time I tried it—I won’t tell a lie—
I started to like eating Liverwurst Pie.
It tasted so good that I went out to buy
another big serving of Liverwurst Pie.
Liverwurst Pie, oh, Liverwurst Pie.
It might take a few times before you don’t cry.
But I recommend that you give it a try,
and, really, I mean it… I hope you don’t die.
I guess I have this strange notion that anyone can change the world if they really want to. Even you. Even me. I know it always makes me feel good when I read a funny poem or hear a funny song. So, in my own small way, I’m trying to do my part to help people laugh, and just maybe make the world a happier place.
I went to John Muir Elementary School in Fresno, California from Kindergarten through third grade. For fourth through sixth grades I attended Kirk Elementary School, also in Fresno. In 1973 my family moved to San Diego, California, where I attended Pacific Beach Junior High School, followed by Mission Bay High School and La Jolla High School. I took classes at San Diego Community Colleges before attending National University, where I majored in Computer Science.
I’m afraid not. It’s pretty hard to get rich writing poetry. I’m more of a “starving artist.” I’m not actually starving, but I have to work pretty hard at this to support myself and my family.
If you’re ever bored and feel like you need a change of pace, it’s time to declare that it’s “Opposite Day,” a day to do things the opposite of the way you normally would.
Put your clothes on backward, walk in reverse, or claim that candy tastes awful. Try walking on your hands or writing with your feet. Have a staring contest with your eyes closed. You get the idea.
You can also try writing an Opposite Day poem. Start by stating that today is Opposite Day with a few lines, like this:
It’s Opposite Day!
It’s Opposite Day!
The day to do things
in the opposite way.
An Opposite Day poem is a kind of list poem. In other words, the middle of the poem is a list of everything you do differently from normal days. So, think of as many backward, reverse, and opposite things as possible and write them down. You don’t have to rhyme them, but it’s fun to try. Here are a few examples I thought of:
I write with my foot and
I kick with my hand.
I stare with my eyes closed.
I sit down to stand.
I drink from a plate and
I eat from a cup.
I climb into bed when
it’s time to wake up.
What other kinds of things can you do in the opposite way? Could you frown when you’re happy and smile when you’re sad? Wear your shoes on your head and your hat on your feet? Sit still on the swings and go up the slide instead of down?
Think of as many opposite things as possible and soon you’ll have a nice long list for your poem. Then all you need is an ending. I recommend something funny, like this:
I stand still for dancing.
When running, I crawl.
So please understand:
I don’t like you at all.
Or how about an ending like this one?
It’s Opposite Day!
Oh, wait, that’s not right.
I think we should change it
to Opposite Night!
If you like, feel free to use the beginning and one of the endings that I wrote, and then make your own list in the middle.
When you’re done writing your Opposite Day poem, be sure not to share it with me. I would hate to read it. ;-)
Kenn Nesbitt, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, is celebrated for blending humor and heart in his poetry for children. Known for books such as "My Cat Knows Karate" and "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," he captivates young readers globally.
Switch Switch
Online Christmas
Whenever It’s December
Calling all Kids!
For several years now I have been doing live, interactive webinars in conjunction with 
Liverwurst Pie
