Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses

by J. Patrick Lewis, Simon Bartram (Illustrator)

Clever puns and elaborately detailed, surreal artwork illuminate a collection of comically grim verses that can't help but tickle the funny bone.

Reader, if I had more time
I'd say au revoir in rhyme,
Sayonara, ciao in verse —
But I have to catch a hearse.

Peek inside Once Upon a Tomb and find twenty-two poems, each of which tells, in hilarious verse, the story of an untimely demise — from a school principal to a bully, a food critic to a cafeteria lady, an underwear salesman to a soccer player. Complemented by Simon Bartram's deadpan illustrations, J. Patrick Lewis's cryptic tour of headstones and epitaphs is silly, spooky — and far from grave.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Death, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2006

About the author

J. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. He has written more than seventy children's books, including Once Upon a Tomb: Gravely Humorous Verses. J. Patrick Lewis lives in Ohio.

Reviews

[A_Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this poetry book of rhymed verse, are short, humorous poems that talk about several mishappenings that lead these people to their graves. Some of these people include a fisherman, a poet, a tattoo artist, a mailman, and even a school teacher. The rhyming element helps build the meaning of each and every one of these poems. The pictures also help to link the words and build on the content.
Two of my favorite poems are FOOD CRITIC and MOVIE STAR. The humor within the poems is great!
I would suggest reading this book of poems during the month of October. The students can create their own humorous verses. What a SPOOKTACULAR experience it will be!!!

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the name of the book and had a bit higher expectations about what I was getting myself into. Unfortunately this book didn't get much further than the brick wall after I saw the poem about the underwear salesman. And from there either the poems flopped or were plain average to me.

Unlike many books with illustrations I wasn't particular fond of the pictures that were included. Some were clever twists and gave a bit of a backdrop to the poem you were reading but that was about it. Some were brightly colored, others lacked much of a background and a few were somber in their dark colors just as the book should have been.

Meanwhile the poems were decent in my eyes. I really enjoyed those that were more brief and word play than those that were just rhymes of a profession or role in society.

As they say death comes to us all and this book will help you to explore what type of witty response you can put for any number of professions if you are a fan of such activities.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious collection of poems that tell of a person's demise. Perhaps it's not the most polite book to read, but I have a feelling that children will love it.

One of my favorites:
Underwear Salesman
...
"Our grief
Was brief." (p. 3 - unpaged)

The illustrations, rendered in acrylic are just as funny as the poems themselves and the expressions on the various characters' faces are priceless.

It's a fun, fast read and I would think it would be quite appropriate to read in October for some not-so-spooky fun.

[Michelle Vanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This funny verse poetry book takes ordinary jobs or professions and spins them on it head. Each page is designated to a different job and poem. The poems are written in a way that the person is killed in some way related to that job. It's really funny with awesome pictures.

This is a funny book that I might read on Halloween and it would be a good way to get kid to like poetry how usually don't.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are the types of poems that make me laugh out loud. Satirical and wonderfully weird, I would love to add this to my collection.

[Amanda Behrends · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary - Collection of short poems that all provide humorous epitaphs for various occupations.
Curriculum Connection - Would be a great way to hook young students, particularly boys, on poetry at the start of a poetry unit, could also be used for word study particularly for synonyms.
Personal Reaction - I liked this book because it was a different use of poetry than I am familiar with in children's books. I think students will like the author's humorous take on epitaphs.
Visual Appeal - Great bright and playful illustrations that display each deceased occupation in a humorous and interesting manner.
Intended Audience - First to fifth grade, about six to ten years old.

[Denise Choate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry: Once Upon a Tomb, by J.Patrick Lewis A set of silly poems about different positions like a teacher, a light house keeper and so on. This book was nicely illustrated and segmented by profession and would make a great gift for those professionals in your world who are represented in this selection.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy. Very clever and the illustrator was fabulous too.

Cook Editor

Miss Spellings's
Exclamation points
Were myriad!!!
She lived on
The margin.
And died.
Period.

Underwear Salesman
.......
Our Grief
Was brief.

Fortune Teller
...
Here lies.

[Just a Girl Fighting Censorship · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations are done beautifully, they are acrylic paintings that are both bright and colorful. unfortunetly the the "poems" in this book were a let down, it is nothing more than a collection of career based epitaphs lacking in originality and humor.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a Children's Literature class. I could not get over how funny this book is even though I read it as an adult. If I found it this hilarious as an adult, I can only imagine how much kids must love this book!

[Brandy Gilbertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

One liners may be humorous for adults; not sure younger children will understand most of the content. Also probably not the best for children who do not yet understand the concepts of death or are dealing with death themselves.

*Book from text

[Salsabrarian]

Funny epitaph poems for various occupations, including underwear salesman (Our grief/Was brief), movie star, gravedigger and cafeteria lady. Humor, wordplay, puns and double meaning leaven this dark topic.

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review here: http://trebro.livejournal.com/218603....

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted humorous verses about death. Great stuff.

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny set of poems with a gruesome side. Great illustrations, though some may be a little graphic for really young children.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastically macabre, these are poems that might be found on gravestones. Great to decorate the library at Halloween with funny headstones, and a fun writing prompt.

[Fisal Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age:
Grades 10--YA

Genre:
Poetry

Diversity
various perspectives

Illustrations:
Images from poetry

Personal response:
funny tales

Curricular or programming connections:
Poetry lessons

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite other reviewers rating this book highly, I was disappointed in it. There were several funny poems/verses, but some were just flat.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Funny Grave Verses!!!!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of mixed review. I loved the illustrations, but I wasn't too impressed with the writing. A couple of chuckles here and there, but mostly for the illustrations.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange book. Funny but weird..

[Katy]

Poetry, funny, creepy, death, occupations