The giant, and other nonsense verse

Description

The giant, and other nonsense verse by Albert W. Smith is a collection of children’s nonsense poetry written in the early 20th century. Light, playful, and imaginative, it revels in tall tales, comic fables, and whimsical explanations of nature, turning the cosmos, the weather, and everyday creatures into sources of gentle absurdity and delight. Across its poems, the book envisions a sky-high Giant who snacks on whales and planets, an Arctic ball where icebergs waltz with the Northern Lights, and a tropical tea where beasts gossip and sing. It spins mock origin tales for tides, night and day, mist, and why the sea is salt; tours Funnyland, an island of baby trees, candy volcanoes, Tiboons, and a sky-ship fiasco; and offers parodies and adventures such as a hapless marsh hunter and a brave boy who defeats a Basilisk with a mirror. Brief pieces catch Cupid trapped by his own boomerang and love rushing Time, while north and west winds misbehave and ice is “invented” to keep children safe. Throughout, catchy rhymes, brisk rhythms, and cheerful nonsense make lively read-alouds that mix fantasy with sly humor. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• American poetry -- 20th century
• Humorous poetry, American
• PS