(Found in: Cleary, Brian P. 2004. RAINBOW SOUP: ADVENTURES IN POETRY. Ill. by Neal Layton. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. ISBN 157505597X)
Children and adults alike will need to prepare themselves for some serious laughs prior to reading the poem IRISH PEACE TALKS. Brian Cleary includes this hilarious limerick in an interesting and comical poetry collection that also offers helpful descriptions and information about the various forms of poetry used throughout the book. According to Cleary, a limerick is a five-line verse that is usually funny and follows a specific rhyme pattern (Cleary 2004, 38). The rhythmic feel of limericks combined with the hysterical meaning of this poem are sure to appeal to readers of all ages. Cleary’s careful word choice and skillful manipulation of words and sounds add to the rhythm and readability of the poem. For example, readers will notice the sounds and cadence of the words “scrapin’” and “offa” as they read the poem aloud. Adding to the charm of IRISH PEACE TALKS is Neal Layton’s hilarious sketch-like drawing, which depicts a large and aggressive looking schoolgirl with pigtails intimidating a humorously tiny boy in a school hallway. The drawing is done almost entirely in black and white. The green clothes and bows on the frightening schoolgirl offer the only color in the illustration, drawing even more attention to the girl’s comically mean look. The cartoon, doodle-like quality of the illustration will undoubtedly intensify the appeal of this poem for children.
INTRODUCTION: Prior to sharing this poem with students, ask students if they know what a limerick is. Use Brian Cleary’s explanation of a limerick from RAINBOW SOUP or another source to inform students of the rhyming structure and humorous quality of limericks. After a simple and brief explanation of limericks, tell students that you are going to share a funny limerick with them today. This is an excellent poem for the reader to really act out with facial expressions and tone of voice, so have fun when you read this one!
IRISH PEACE TALKS
By Brian P. Cleary
There once was a schoolgirl from Galway,
Who said to her lad on a fall day,
“If I find you starin’
At Maggie or Erin,
They’ll be scrapin’ you offa the hallway.”
EXTENSION: After the students stop laughing, consider allowing them to write limericks of their own. The Giggle Poetry website (http://www.gigglepoetry.com/) offers Bruce Lansky's excellent directions for how to write a limerick at http://www.gigglepoetry.com/POETRYCLASS/limerickcontesthelp.html. Neal Layton’s sketch-like illustration of IRISH PEACE TALKS may also inspire students to attempt illustrating their own limericks as well. Additionally, since humorous poems have the potential to really grab students’ attention, sharing a poem like IRISH PEACE TALKS with children is an excellent way to open the door to the world of poetry for them. Once children realize how much fun poetry can be, finding and sharing great poetry with them can be enjoyable for everyone. Direct students to the poetry section of the library and challenge them to find and share more limericks that they enjoy.