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Rolling in the Aisles : Kids Pick the Funniest Poems
Rolling in the Aisles, "King of Giggle Poetry" Bruce Lansky's fourth hardcover anthology of humorous poems for children, contains funny poems selected by a panel of more than 1,000 elementary- and middle-school students. Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Bruce Lansky, Kenn Nesbitt, Ted Scheu, Robert Pottle and Dave Crawley all made the cut for this giggle-packed anthology of rhymes!
- GenresPoetryPicture Books
128 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2004
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Lansky
198 books49 followersI was born on June 1, 1941. My first home was an apartment in Manhattan's Upper West Side, a neighborhood that overlooked the George Washington Bridge. Soon after kindergarten, my family moved to Scarsdale, which seemed to be “in the country.” In high school, I broke my ankle when I went out for the lacrosse team, so I wrote a sports column for the school newspaper. I don't think I showed any particular talent for writing then.
I went to St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. I actually learned to read Greek (I didn't understand it, though). I transferred from St. John's to New York University, so I could study political science and economics. I graduated with a major in philosophy and a minor in English. My first job was a market researcher for a beer company in New Jersey. Over the next five years, I switched jobs several times: advertising copywriter, advertising account executive, and marketing manager at a candy company.
I married Vicki and we had a baby, Douglas. I wanted him to have a home surrounded by grass and trees and ball fields, so I accepted a job in Minnesota, and Doug got a baby sister, Dana. What rescued me from poverty was that my wife and some other mothers wrote a cookbook. We published it ourselves, and it was a huge hit. That's how I figured out that I wanted to be a publisher when I grew up. We built Meadowbrook Press, and I became an author of baby name books and humor books for adults.
Ten years ago, I wanted to put together a children's book of all the poems they loved best. To find these poems, I tested poems in elementary schools. As I was testing poems on children, I decided to write a few to see what the response would be. At first it wasn't that good, but as my writing improved, I added my poems to new books. To get them just right, I'd rewrite them over and over. I've now edited six poetry anthologies and filled three books with my own poems. Because I spent a lot of time reading and testing poems in classrooms, schools started inviting me to perform. I've now performed at hundreds of schools. My goal to put on the most entertaining, most educational, and most motivating assembly a school has ever had. My web site, http://www.gigglepoetry.com, helps kids discover the fun of reading and writing poetry.
Language arts are a very important part of what you learn in school. You can read great books that take you to far-away lands. You can write your own stories and make yourself the hero of exciting adventures. Even if it seems hard sometimes, don't give up. Keep practicing your reading and writing skills, and soon it will become easier. There are so many wonderful worlds to explore in books and poetry. Get your very own passport by learning to read and write the very best that you can.
I went to St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. I actually learned to read Greek (I didn't understand it, though). I transferred from St. John's to New York University, so I could study political science and economics. I graduated with a major in philosophy and a minor in English. My first job was a market researcher for a beer company in New Jersey. Over the next five years, I switched jobs several times: advertising copywriter, advertising account executive, and marketing manager at a candy company.
I married Vicki and we had a baby, Douglas. I wanted him to have a home surrounded by grass and trees and ball fields, so I accepted a job in Minnesota, and Doug got a baby sister, Dana. What rescued me from poverty was that my wife and some other mothers wrote a cookbook. We published it ourselves, and it was a huge hit. That's how I figured out that I wanted to be a publisher when I grew up. We built Meadowbrook Press, and I became an author of baby name books and humor books for adults.
Ten years ago, I wanted to put together a children's book of all the poems they loved best. To find these poems, I tested poems in elementary schools. As I was testing poems on children, I decided to write a few to see what the response would be. At first it wasn't that good, but as my writing improved, I added my poems to new books. To get them just right, I'd rewrite them over and over. I've now edited six poetry anthologies and filled three books with my own poems. Because I spent a lot of time reading and testing poems in classrooms, schools started inviting me to perform. I've now performed at hundreds of schools. My goal to put on the most entertaining, most educational, and most motivating assembly a school has ever had. My web site, http://www.gigglepoetry.com, helps kids discover the fun of reading and writing poetry.
Language arts are a very important part of what you learn in school. You can read great books that take you to far-away lands. You can write your own stories and make yourself the hero of exciting adventures. Even if it seems hard sometimes, don't give up. Keep practicing your reading and writing skills, and soon it will become easier. There are so many wonderful worlds to explore in books and poetry. Get your very own passport by learning to read and write the very best that you can.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 13, 2017
Some of the poems are laugh out loud funny. However, some are a bit inappropriate, and I would need to pick and choose what I would use in a classroom or library setting. For example, there is a poem about a child who dresses up like their mother, including makeup and earrings. At the end of the poem, you learn it is a boy. Although the tone is comedic, is it appropriate?
Lots of references to bodily functions, such as belching, pooping, and farting. Kids love that stuff.
Lots of references to bodily functions, such as belching, pooping, and farting. Kids love that stuff.
September 10, 2018
Some are funnier than others... the walk home kiss one was over the top- promotes acceptance of violence... just could be better
December 12, 2018
This was definitely a good collection of funny poems. The boys loved them. It was a nice mix of a variety of authors.
June 12, 2019
We really enjoyed these poems and they really did make us laugh out loud.
January 3, 2021
This one is always good for laughs from my students.
November 29, 2014
This book of poems is especially great for kids because the poems were chosen by kids! Rolling in the Aisles is a book that will cause anyone to laugh out loud as they read the humorous poems regarding school, siblings, and everyday life for the average kid. In Mind Your Manners, Lansky reveals the seemingly rude or unacceptable things that kids do as he tells the poem in a list of what parents tell their kids not to do and then ends with a twist when he points out that it is everything their parents used to do. Accompanied with whimsical and hilarious illustrations, the poem is really brought to life in a way that many kids would be able to relate.
Other poems from this must read book of children's poetry include, Rules for the Bus and My Normal Family which go into not so typical things kids may come across at home or at school. This book of poems is sure to have you rolling on the ground laughing at how relate able the situations seem. Great for kids of all ages.
Other poems from this must read book of children's poetry include, Rules for the Bus and My Normal Family which go into not so typical things kids may come across at home or at school. This book of poems is sure to have you rolling on the ground laughing at how relate able the situations seem. Great for kids of all ages.
July 26, 2014
My boys (ages 4 & 8) loved these short, rhyming, silly poems. Most had a cute illustration to go with them.
My favorite poem was "Meat Loaf". When a mother pulled her meat loaf from the oven, the kitchen filled with smoke which set the smoke detectors off. Mom began to shriek, dog passed out, kitten hid, brother screamed, baby ate meat loaf sticking to her head, father yelled, sister went beserk, but "I kept my cool and said, 'At least our smoke detectors work.'"
My 8-year-old loved "My Dog Has Got No Manners" about a dog who whines at dinnertime, drinks from the toilet, won't take a shower, bites strangers on the rear, and barks when someone's on the telephone. The last verse says, "When I complained to mommy, she said, 'I thought you knew. The reason that his manners stink: he learns by watching you.'"
Funny!
My favorite poem was "Meat Loaf". When a mother pulled her meat loaf from the oven, the kitchen filled with smoke which set the smoke detectors off. Mom began to shriek, dog passed out, kitten hid, brother screamed, baby ate meat loaf sticking to her head, father yelled, sister went beserk, but "I kept my cool and said, 'At least our smoke detectors work.'"
My 8-year-old loved "My Dog Has Got No Manners" about a dog who whines at dinnertime, drinks from the toilet, won't take a shower, bites strangers on the rear, and barks when someone's on the telephone. The last verse says, "When I complained to mommy, she said, 'I thought you knew. The reason that his manners stink: he learns by watching you.'"
Funny!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2010
Rolling in the Aisles: A Collection of Laugh-Out-Loud Poems truly is a collection of poems for kids that have readers laughing out load. Edited by Bruce Lansky, the book features numerous poets including Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Poems cover every topic from choosing an after-school snack to painting dad’s toe nails while he naps. Young readers will enjoy the silliness and the everyday situations of the poems. I recommend using it with students in grades 2 and up. Poems are good examples of how simple and entertaining poems can be and this anthology of poems introduces students to many mentor poets.
July 12, 2010
Annotation and Comment: This a entertaining book! I can imagine that students who are intimidated by poetry might be drawn in by this collection of poems. The subjects are kid friendly and the illustrations are hilarious.
April 20, 2014
This a pretty funny poetry book. The poems were written by a bunch of different people and put in this book. It was easy to read and is good for young people. My favorite poem was called Dirty Socks. It reminded me of me.
July 30, 2008
Best Poems Every
Read
September 27, 2010i really loved this book
May 8, 2012
good book.
January 18, 2013
FUN, FUN, FUN poems! This is a book I might need to buy.
July 31, 2015
I take this and other poem books to read to the class when there is a few minutes of dead time while subbing. They are great :)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews