About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is in a silly, rebellious mood or showing an interest in the grosser side of life. Roald Dahl's collection of wicked rhymes provides a safe outlet for a child's natural mischief, using absurdist poetry to explore what happens when animals get the upper hand over humans. It is an excellent choice for reluctant readers who find standard moral stories boring, as it prioritizes wit and shock value over traditional lessons. While the humor is undeniably dark, it serves an important developmental purpose by allowing children to confront fears of 'beasts' through laughter. The poems range from a pig who decides to eat the farmer to a flying cow that makes a mess from above. Parents should be prepared for a bit of 'scary' fun: some animals do eat people here, but the rhyming scheme and exaggerated illustrations keep the tone firmly in the realm of the ridiculous rather than the truly frightening.
