Books and Magazines
Runny Babbit
By
Aug 13, 2005, 12:23

(NAPSI)-One way to celebrate Spoonerism Day is to shump and jout (jump and shout). Another way is to recite a poem from "Runny Babbit" (HarperCollins, $17.99), the exciting bestselling book by the incomparable Shel Silverstein.

Completed before his death in 1999, "Runny Babbit" was a work in progress for more than 20 years. Consisting entirely of poetry filled with spoonerisms, the book is as ground-breaking, insightful, witty and wondrous as Silverstein's imagination.

The term "spoonerism" originates from the Rev. William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930) of New College, Oxford, who liked to speak words or phrases with letters or syllables swapped.

In "Runny Babbit," kids and adults can enjoy reading about the "spoonerific" adventures of Runny Babbit (Bunny Rabbit) and his friends Toe Jurtle (Joe Turtle), Skertie Gunk (Gertie Skunk), Rirty Dat (Dirty Rat), Dungry Hog (Hungry Dog) and Snerry Jake (Jerry Snake). Silverstein extends the spoonerism concept into a magical new language, rich with layers of humor, meaning and playfulness.

Spoonerism Day is July 22 but any day can be a good day to send a hilarious spoonerism message to friends and laugh aloud at Silverstein's tongue-teasing book.

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