Exploding Gravy: Poems to Make You Laugh    by X. J. Kennedy & Joy Allen Order:  USA  Can Little, Brown & Co., 2002 (2002) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson I've always enjoyed reading poetry to and with my kids, and often bemoaned the lack of good poetry picture books when they were small ... I wish we'd had Exploding Gravy. It's not only great read aloud verse, but it will make you laugh together too. Here's 'Long-Distance Call'; one that reminded me of Ogden Nash ...'Babbling baby, left alone, / Punched some buttons on the phone. / Poppa paid for her to coo / All the way to Katmandu.' I was lucky when this happened in our household - it was only 911, not Katmandu! There are 115 pages (under section headings from 'Far-Out Families' to 'Unlikely Doings') of pungent poetry and diverting drawings; good for many hours of childish chuckles. There's even a limerick or two, and some great advice, like this which ends the ode to 'Stevie the Internet Addict' (and which I am about to post on my son's computer) ... 'It's nice to gaze on worlds afar, / But notice sometimes where you are.' I could keep on raving, but really you should read these poems yourself; they'll make you laugh, and smile. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews