Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook

Title: Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook

Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Target Age Range: 7+

Genre: Poetry

Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook is authored and illustrated by the creative mind of Shel Silverstein. Join Runny Babbit, Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, and Snerry Jake in a world of nonsensical words where Pea Soup is Sea Poup and snow boots are bnow soots. Other than speaking only in spoonerisms, Runny is a normal child. He has many friends, and two loving parents, his "dummy and mad," who often remind him to "shake a tower," "dash the wishes," "tush your breeth," "rean your cloom,"and other chores. In the forest that Runny Babbit lives in, each character switches the letters of the consonants of nearby words. With simple black ink paired with humor, Shel delivers a compilation of poetry that is fun for all ages.

"Runny Hets Gandsome"

Runny bought a wurly cig.
And tuck it on with star.

Runny thought, “Now I look like

A handsome stovie mar.”
But the tair it got all hangled
In the twicket and the thigs.
Runny said, “I guess some folks
Just don’t look wood in gigs.”

 

 

 

 

 

About the author/illustrator:

Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein was an American poet, singer, songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of Children's books. Silverstein believed that written works needed to be read on paper—the correct paper for the particular work. Being a book collector, he took seriously the feel of the paper, the look of the book, the fonts, and the binding. Most of his books did not have  paperback editions because he did not want his work to be diminished in any way. He encouraged readers to catch the moon or invite dinosaurs to dinner.

 

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What type of poetry does Silverstein use in Runny Babbit?
2. How is Runny Babbit’s way of speaking different from the way we speak?
3. Why do you think Shel Silverstein made his characters speak this way?
4. How is poetry different from drama and prose?
5. What themes are introduced in the collection of poetry?
6. How do the illustrations add to the quality of the poems?
7. How would the humor change if Silverstein would have used language correctly?

Motivational Activities:

• Students collaborate in groups by selecting a poem and translating back to the English language. Untangle Runny's funny words. They discuss the difference between the two versions and the impact that Silverstein's switched consonants have on the reader.
• Practice fluency and expression with partners. Each student can pick a poem and recite to a partner. Students work on clarity and enunciation of the words while having fun.
• Create your own Silverstein poem using the rhyme scheme ABCB. Challenge students by asking them to use Silverstein's nonsense language.

Other Books By Shel Silverstein:

A Light in the Attic
Where the Sidewalk Ends
The Giving Tree

Silverstein, Shel. (2005). Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook. New York, NY: HarperCollins.