{"id":31548,"date":"2019-01-14T23:29:11","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T03:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=31548"},"modified":"2019-01-14T23:29:11","modified_gmt":"2019-01-15T03:29:11","slug":"review-of-no-fair-no-fair-poems-by-calvin-trillin-pictures-by-roz-chast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=31548","title":{"rendered":"Review of No Fair! No Fair! poems by Calvin Trillin, pictures by Roz Chast"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>No Fair! No Fair!<\/p>\n

And Other Jolly Poems of Childhood<\/em><\/p>\n

Poems by Calvin Trillin
\nPictures by Roz Chast<\/p>\n

Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2016. 32 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Oh this book made me laugh! It compelled me to read it aloud, first to people at work, then even when I was home alone.<\/p>\n

This is a book of poetry in the tradition of Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein — rhyming poetry about the logic and illogic of children’s lives.<\/p>\n

Here’s a stanza from one of my favorites, “The Grandpa Rule Is in Effect”:<\/p>\n

Whenever Grandpa’s minding us,
\nThere’s just one rule we must respect:
\nTo do what we would like to do.
\nThe Grandpa Rule is in effect.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s the beginning of “Who Plays What?”<\/p>\n

I like all our games of pretending,
\nBut why is it always routine
\nThat I am the queen’s loyal servant
\nAnd Claudia’s always the queen?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s the refrain from “The Backseat”:<\/p>\n

She’s over the line,
\nShe’s over the line.
\nShe occupies space
\nThat’s rightfully mine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And here’s a nice one full of kid logic, from “Could Jenny Get This Shot for Me? I’ve Done So Much for Her!”:<\/p>\n

I know this shot will guard me from the measles and the mumps —
\nDiseases that could leave me with two different kinds of lumps.
\nI’m glad the stuff that’s in the shot will keep me safe from harm,
\nBut can’t they put the needle into someone else’s arm?
\nIf so, my older sister is the person I’d prefer.
\nCould Jenny get this shot for me? I’ve done so much for her.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I like all the small poems in “Evening Complaints.” This one’s called “Going to Bed”:<\/p>\n

Though Nate stays up, to me you’ve said,
\n“Okay, my friend, it’s time for bed.”
\nI’ll bet when I’m as old as Nate,
\nYou still won’t let me stay up late.
\nI’ll say, “I’m eight,” but you won’t care.
\nNo fair, no fair, no fair, no fair.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have to admit, a few of the poems didn’t quite work as well read aloud — but the majority are so well done, they compel reading aloud.<\/p>\n

And Roz Chast’s pictures are the perfect companion! She gets a child’s eye view of the world just right — with that touch of cynicism and humor in every one of her pictures.<\/p>\n

scholastic.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/no_fair_no_fair.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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