Runny Babbit

Witty, Mirthful, Atypical, Imaginative, Capturing
Runny Babbit A Billy Sook by Shel Silverstein

Published by HarperCollins Copyright 2005
Children's Choice Award 2006

This billy sook will have students laughing as you trip over the crazy made up words created. Runny is a rabbit that gets into a lot of mischief and does a lot of silly things. Though words are created abnormally with the first letter or couple letters switched in words, Shel Silverstein still allows us to figure out the underlying meaning of the passage. The reader is able to read the book and still come away knowing exactly what happened. This book will be sure to bring smiles to students everywhere!

Reading Level: Grade 4/5

Suggested Delivery: This book should be read aloud with students for the first time so they can understand whats happening. The students will surely enjoy the teacher stumbling over the words as well! This book could also be read as a small group read for added fun!

Extras: On the back flap of the jacket, Silverstein includes titles of his other works.

Teachers here are some resources that may help you teach Runny Babbit...

Key Vocabulary: The vocabulary in this book is perfect for the reading level. Silverstein did this to assure young readers would understand the book even though the words are altered. However, here are a few that might prove to be problems for students: swine, scolded, griddle, feline, poached

Electronic Resources:

• RunnyonMtRushmore: Listen to Shel Silverstein read Runny on Mount Rushmore as you can follow along with the text on the page. Great for students during reading, or post reading for added clarification.
• HaperCollins: Before or during reading, you can visit the publishers website you can download audio, go to critic's corner, read Runny Babbit on NPR, and view its awards.
• ShelSilversteinPlan: Here on Silverstein's website there are lesson plan ideas and teaching suggestions! Great for before, during or after reading!

Activities for Students:

• Pre Reading: Say the title and have the children determine whats going on. What are they doing with the letters of the words? What does the title actually sound like, what does it mean? How do you know that's what it means? Lead a discussion to explain the way the story is written.
• During Reading: Ask children questions along the way. So what just happened? What did Runny do? Because the words are altered, its important to make sure they can still infer the meaning through the context.  Pick one story within the book, for example "Runny's Bight Toots" on page 69. Read the passage, then have the children write about what it means. What happened here? Why did Runny become the tallest "lunny in the band"? What made that happen? Have the students write their answer with specific details from the text on a piece of paper.
• Post Reading: Have students create their own "billy sook" or silly paragraph about whatever they choose to write about. Let some students share theirs with the class for some added fun!

"Children will love these clever poems and without prompting will probably create their own, unaware that they are focusing on a key reading skill: phonemic awareness. This is a treasure."–School Library Journal

Silverstein, S. (2005). Runny Babbit: a billy sook. New York: HarperCollins.