Puns Not Guns

by Charles Ghigna

The title says it short, humorous poems from master poet Charles Ghigna, covering many topics, including family, spirituality, money, dieting, exercise, art. many of the poems will PUNish you.

“Charles Ghigna is not only a serious poet, but also one of the most popular writers of light verse today.” Richard Armour

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2025

About the author

Charles Ghigna - Father Goose® lives in a treehouse in the middle of Alabama. He is the author of more than 100 books from Random House, Disney, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Time Inc. and other publishers. He has written more than 5,000 poems for children and adults that have appeared in anthologies, newspapers and magazines ranging from The New Yorker and Harper’s to Highlights and Cricket magazines. He served as poet-in-residence and chair of creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, instructor of creative writing at Samford University, poetry editor of English Journal for the National Council of Teachers of English, and as a nationally syndicated poetry feature writer for Tribune Media Services. He speaks at schools, conferences, libraries, and literary events throughout the U.S. and overseas, and has read his poems at The Library of Congress, The John F. Kennedy Center, American Library in Paris, American School in Paris, and the International Schools of South America. For more information, visit his website at FatherGoose.com

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puns Not Guns by CharlesGhina, instead of reviewing this book I will tell you a true story that just happened while waiting at the eye doctor for my husband‘s appointment I had my earphones on listening to this book and I kept laughing my husband said what are you laughing at so I turned my headphones off put them away and him and I at a low volume started listening to this book the lady next to my husband asked him could he turn it up just a little bit before they called my husband in me and my husband and four other people waiting to see the doctor we’re sitting in the waiting room laughing the part that got the biggest laugh was the one about all the money you pay for college and getting poor by degrees and how much you pay for weddings when you’re actually giving your daughter away two of the women found those statements so funny there were many other times were different people wanted to rehear certain parts of the book and I didn’t finish it until I got home but OMG this book is not only funny it’s apropos factual and as my story is proof of entertaining. before we left the doctors I had to give everyone the name and author of the book in one lady even waited until our appointment was over to ask for the name of the book. She said this is going to be a great time at Christmas and I must agree it definitely will. I keep saying I no longer like poetry but yet when I accidentally request or buy a poetry book I find myself really enjoying them so maybe I do like poetry lol! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #CharlesGhina #PunsNotGuns,

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best review/response to this book can only be by sharing this book with interested readers - so below are a few of my favorites. NOTE: the best way to get every drop of delight out of a pun is not to read it to yourself. Even if you are alone in the room, out under a tree, at a picnic bench straighten up, sit (or stand) tall, take a deep breath and begin Out Loud to any one or thing around you:

I. Politics
Uncommon Sense
Do not let ideology
Get in the way of facts.
Let common sense serve as your guide
When intolerance attacks.

II. Money
Miser Able
A penny. A quarter. A nickel. A dime.
While saving his money He spent all his time.

III Marriage
Matrimonial Math
The odds of staying married rise With every “I love you.”
The sum of these three little words? One plus one is true.

IV Family
The Rhythm and Blues Methods
Timing is important
When planning to have kids.
It’s not the dos and don’ts that count. It’s the counting of the dids.

V Food & Drink
Steaks Alive!
The vegetarian enjoys
Dining out for fun.
When asked how she would like her steak --
She tells them on the run.

VI. Health & Fitness
No Funny Bones About it
Laughter is the medicine
That can extend our pasts. So keep your sense of
humor ‘Cause he who laughs, lasts.

VII. Sports & Recreation
Spare Me
My bowling skills are not the best. It’s baseball
that I like
Because the game is easier
For me to get a strike.

VIII. The Arts
Art Eyes
Words can often cloud the truth
And veil themselves with lies. That is why most
artists like To listen with their eyes.

IX. Literature
Choice Language
A synonym is just a word
That we have chosen well. Or one we like to use
in place Of one we cannot spell.

X. Science & Nature
Sunsational
Wind and solar power.
We think they are divine.
Grandma used them long ago --
She loved her old clothesline.

The Firefly
The firefly is quite a sight
Upon the summer wind.
Instead of shining where he goes,
He lights up where he’s been.

XI. Technology
My Cussed Computer
My cursor’s frozen on the screen.
My mouse is stuck like glue. Another glitch and
soon I will Become a cursor too.

XII. Faith & Inspiration
Rare Dessert
Love is not for only those Already at the feast.
We often need love most of all
When we deserve it least.

All of these come from Puns Not Guns, by Charles Ghigna, a wielder of sharp word weaponry, the best way to make a point!

Four of my punniest stars for Charles Ghigna! Finally, someone to fill the empty spot that's been there since Richard Armour took himself off to the Library in the Sky!

*A sincere thank you to Charles Ghigna, Livingston Press at the University of West Alabama, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #PunsNotGuns #NetGalley 25|52:17b

[Mia Sage (fantasyfairyreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartwarming, light-hearted short punny poetry collection! I read this as a palate cleanser in-between heavier reads. I am an avid poetry lover and this was a quick, one sitting for me. I took this author's poetry style with a grain of salt. Very short lines, right to the point verbiage. This isn't my preferred style of poetry, but I'm glad I read it as it gave me a handful of smiles and laughs. The author's tone fell in line with my own dad's humor so I was right at home.
Some of my favorites were: Boss Art, No Escapism, Father of the Bride, Artifacts and Fiction, Passion's Paradox, Book Stand, The Firefly, and Old Software.
Was this worth a quick read? Absolutely.

3/5 stars. Many thanks to NetGalley and Livingston Press at the University of West Alabama for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Katra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a collection of Ghigna's (aka Father Goose) short poems for adults. I like short poems. But there's a big difference between the poems of, say, Samuel Menashe and these. I know, I know, it's got pun right there in the title, and yet, somehow, I was hoping for more. The short poems were somewhat monotonous, almost all four liners, same rhyming pattern. I enjoyed it for awhile, and then they slowly lost appeal. I struggled to finish it. Saying that, I think there are others who would really enjoy this book. I have a brother addicted to puns. Perhaps once this comes out, (I'm reading an advanced reader's copy.) I should nudge it his way.

p-s s-n v-n a-n

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Puns not Guns is a collection of poetry/puns with topics ranging from politics, technology, science and nature, to the arts and family. My favorite section was IX. Literature. Nevermore and Wasteland are perfect odes to Poe and Eliot. There was a fair amount that did not resonate with me and a lot of body dysmorphia came through sections IV-VI. Overall a punderful read.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Diane Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Livingston Press for the advance electronic copy of this title.

I don't care if they say a pun is the lowest form of humor--I love puns! And I really appreciated the particular brand of humor behind most of these little verses. If this author were to create a "Pun-a-Day" calendar, I would buy it!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read from NetGalley. I found it very clever and well-written. Recommended reading.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick witted dad humor. You cannot take this seriously. If you want something to just lighten your mood with your morning coffee or while you’re in the bathroom this is good.