I can see you’re looking dour,
So I’ve stopped by your address.
It seems that life delivers me
To folks most in distress.
Judging from that dismal scowl,
You’ve had some lousy luck.
Perhaps you lost your tennis match,
Or your radiator’s stuck?
In any case, take my advice –
Tomorrow’s a new day!
Look on the bright side; crack a smile
And I’ll be on my way.
There’s no need for that juicer…
Take a breath and count to three.
Lemonade may cheer your mood,
But it spells the end for me.

Written by Jesse Anna Bornemann.

Illustrated by Allie Biondi.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

HOLY COW! HOLY COW!
It’s something people shout…
Where it comes from, well, that’s something
They know nothing about.

HOLY COW! HOLY COW!
Maybe this will clear things up.
Let me introduce you to
My cow, Miss Buttercup.

HOLY COW! HOLY COW!
Do you think that I would tease?
The holey cow is very real…
That’s where we get swiss cheese.

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Chris Leavens.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

Written by Jesse Anna Bornemann.

Illustrated by Aaron Miller.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

Tomorrow I join the circus!
Yep, I’m gonna run away.
But first I need to find my act,
I’ve only got a day.

I thought about a bearded-lady
But just can’t grow a beard.
And furthermore, since I’m a boy
That might be kinda weird.

Lion-tamer might do the trick
If only they didn’t bite.
Tight-rope walker — that might work
Except for my fear of heights.

How about an acrobat?
I cannot touch my toes.
Strong man, clown or fire-breather?
Surely none of those!

I guess the only job for me
Is human cannonball.
Which makes me think…
On second thought…
I won’t go after all!

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Richard Wilkinson.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

FRACTURED BY FRACTIONS

Ruth was puzzled; Ruth was perplexed.
Ruth was worried; Ruth was just vexed.

Today was Monday: tomorrow was near.
At 9am on Tuesday came Ruth’s dreaded fear.

Ruth’s problem was numbers; fractions to be exact.
Demon denominators and numerators in fact.

Miss Allard had explained it; she had cut up pizza pies.
Miss Allard had tried so hard; but all Ruth could do was cry.

“See, 1 over 5 is one fifth,” Miss Allard wrote.
“Then 1 over 6 is one sixth,” Miss Allard spoke.

“So 1 over 7 is one seventh,” Miss Allard said.
“And 1 over 8 is one eighth.” Numbers buzzed in Ruth’s head.

“I don’t understand it. I can’t see what you mean.
Please show me one more time,” Ruth begged her friend Jean.

Jean said “1 over 2 is one half,” to Ruth in Duluth.
Ruth smiled and said ” But wouldn’t 1 over 2 be one tooth?”

Written by Eowana Jordan.

Illustrated by Ann Troe.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

Don’t be afraid of jellyfishes.
(With peanut butter, they’re quite delicious.)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Maria Bogade.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

MISPRONUNCITATIONS

We visit all the time,
I’ve been going all my life—
I’m pretty sure I know just how it’s sayed.
Just watch for a sign,
There will be one in no time,
And the right pronuncitation’ll be displayed.
A sign! Here it comes!
I’m going to prove that you’re all chumps!
You’ll see that I’ve been right all along!
But what is this? Why, oh why?!
I can’t believe my weary eyes!
Even here they say Misconsin wrong!!!!

Written by Karen Bjork Kubin.

Illustrated by Nicholas Andrew Davies

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

………………………….Will he wiggle?
………………………….Will he jiggle?
………………………….Will he giggle when the tickling’s done?

………………………….Now, all that I’ve learned,
………………………….If you’re concerned,
………………………….Is exactly how fast I can… RUNNNNNNNNN!!!!

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Brad Sneed.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

I climbed a tree
So I could see
Across to the next island.

And way up high
What did I spy
Across to the next island?

There in a tree
Staring back at me
Across to the next island,

…a kid like me
Just trying to see
Across to the next island.

And there we pair
Just sat and stared
Across to the next island.

He waved at me
And I at he
Across to the next island.

And ne’er again
Did I see my twin
Across to the next island.

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Ann Troe.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.

Have you ever caught a thunder bug,
The lightning bug’s twin brother?
I have, my friend — and tell you what,
I’ll never catch another!

They’re exactly like a lightning bug
In almost every way.
But I put mine in my room and now
I haven’t slept for days.

‘Cause every time a thunder bug
Starts his lightning flashing
CRRR-ACK!
BOOM!
WHAM!
BANG!
Thunder soon comes CRASHING!
.
.

Written by Phil Haussler.

Illustrated by Christy Schneider.

Project OpenBook is a community-built children’s book. Your rating determines what goes into the book. All proceeds go to funding a young girl’s education.

If you liked this poem: Share it. Read it to a kid. Or join us.