It is Saturday night, and I spent the day visiting with my favorite children’s/YA author, Alda B. Dobbs. She drove all the way from Montgomery, TX to Alvin (30 miles south of Houston) to see me, a visit we had planned and cancelled and rescheduled numerous times. Her two fantastic kids came with her. It was a lovely afternoon. I had planned to do a Part Two of SMFK, focusing on children’s poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month,

So late it is, but here is a delightful book of children’s poetry.

Here is the title poem of this silly, dilly collection:

“I’m Still Here in the Bathtub

(To the tune of Take Me Out to the Ballgame)

I’m still here in the bathtub

I’m so clean that I squeak

Mom says it’s good to relax and soak

It’s been two days…there’s no room for breaststroke

Oh, this bathtub is like an island

I am wrink-, wink-, wrinkled so much

You can call[ca all all] me prune!”

And the song goes on for two more verses–quite an accomplishment. There is also “I-T-C-H-Y (To the tune of ‘Bingo’ “

“I got a sweater made of wool

It’s hot and boy it’s itchy

I-T-C-H-Y…” Can’t you just hear this sounding like B-I-N-G-O ?

Katz dedicates this fine book “To those who keep my bathtub overflowing with love–my wonderful wife, and our amazing kids: Simone, Andrew, Nathan, and David.” I’ll bet bath time at the Katz residence is a melodious, raucous, good time!

I highly recommend this noisy book at bath times and any other times for your kids and grandkids.

RAE