With a Friend by Vivian Gouled

I can talk with a friendand walk with friend

and share my umbrellain the rain.

I can play with a friendand stay with a friendand learn with a friend

and explain. I can eat with a friend

and compete with a friendand even sometimes

disagree. I can ride with a friend

and take pride with a friend.A friend can mean

so much to me!

Jellyfish StewBy Jack Prelutsky

Jellyfish stewI’m loony for you!I dearly adore you!

You’re creepy to seeRevolting to chew

You slide down insideWith hullabaloo.

You’re soggy. You’re smelly.You taste like shampoo.

You bog down my belly with oodles of goo.

Yet I would glue noodles And prunes to my shoeFor one oozy spoonful

Of jellyfish stew.

BaggageBy James S Tippet

Don’t forget the swimming suits;Don’t forget the thermos;Don’t forget the flashlightAnd a lantern for the tent.

Don’t forget the blankets;Don’t forget the sweaters;

“Don’t forget” was all we heardFor days before we went.

Don’t forget the lunch box!Don’t forget the Kodak!

Don’t forget the cap stoolAnd don’t forget the books!

“Don’t forget! Don’t forget!”But when we came away

We did forget to bring with usMy father’s fishing hooks.

What I Found in My Deskby Bruce Lansky

A ripe peach with an ugly bruise,a pair of stinky tennis shoes,

a day-old ham-and-cheese on rye,a swimsuit that I left to dry,

a pencil that glows in the dark,some bubble gum found in the park,

a paper bag with cookie crumbs,an old kazoo that barely hums,

a spelling test I almost failed,a letter that I should have mailed,

and one more thing, I must confess,

a note from teacher: Clean This Mess!!!!

I Dreamed I Was Riding a ZebraBy Kenn Nesbit

I dreamed I was riding a zebraWith curly pink hair on his head

And when I woke up in the morningThat zebra was there in my bed.

I rode into school on my zebra.It caused all the teachers to scream.But then I was slightly embarrassedTo find that it was still just a dream.

I woke up again in my bedroom,And saw with relief and a laugh

I don’t have a pink-headed zebra.I guess I’ll just ride the giraffe.

Postman, PostmanBy Arnold Lobel

Postman,Postman,Ring my bell,You are here

And all is well.

Postman, Postman, Bring my mail,

Let me serve youCakes and ale,

The day was sad,But now it’s better…

A friend has written me a letter.

By MyselfBy Eloise Greenfield

When I’m by myselfAnd I close my eyes

I’m a twinI’m a dimple in a chinI’m a room full of toysI’m a squeaky noiseI’m a gospel song

I’m a gongI’m a leaf turning red

I’m a loaf of brown breadI’m whatever I want to beAnd anything I care to beAnd when I open my eyes

What I care to be Is me

The Contents of My Desk --Kenn Nesbitt

A nail.A nickle.A snail.

A pickle.A twisted-up

slinky.A ring formy pinky.

A blackenedbanana.

A love notefrom Hannah.My doodlesof rockets.

The lint frommy pockets.A fork-like

utensil.But sorry...no pencil.

A Book Speaks

When you drop me on the floorI get stepped on - my sides are sore;

Torn-out pages make me groan; I feel dizzy if I'm thrown;

Every mark and every stain On my covers gives me pain;

Please don't bend me, if you do I don't want to talk to you;

But we will both be friends together, If you protect me from the weather And keep me clean so that I look

A tidy, neat and happy book.