The Thingy That's Stringy (and other ridiculous poems)

The Thingy That's Stringy (and other ridiculous poems)
Poems and Illustrations by Paul Kaplan
 
If your child giggles at nonsense words, talks back to knock-knock jokes, or thinks the phrase “Bologna Milk that’s milked every day” is peak comedy, then The Thingy That’s Stringy is the kind of book that will quickly become a bedtime favorite. This playful poetry collection is a joyful explosion of absurd imagination, silly wordplay, and delightfully ridiculous scenarios that feel tailor-made for young readers who love humor that borders on the gloriously weird.
 
Rather than telling one long story, the book delivers dozens of short poems, each acting like its own tiny comedy sketch. Readers meet characters like a couch-carrying kangaroo, a dragon who refuses to breathe fire, a witch who accidentally turns herself into a newt, and a sad gnat named Nathaniel who just wants a friend. Some poems are quick rhymes that land like punchlines; others are longer, more narrative pieces with mini plots and surprise endings. This variety keeps the pacing lively and makes the book perfect for dipping in and out of, whether it’s one poem before bed, a few in the car, or a whole silly marathon on a rainy afternoon.
 
Kaplan’s strongest talent is wordplay. He delights in tongue-twisters, rhymes, invented creatures, and nonsense vocabulary that practically begs to be read aloud. Poems like A Goat in a Coat or Smidgeon, Pinch, and Dash show his love of rhythm and sound, while others lean into clever reversals or punchline twists. Even when a poem is intentionally “bad” or pointless, that’s part of the joke, kids are invited to laugh at the absurdity rather than search for hidden meaning.
 
Another highlight is how the book embraces kid logic. Adults may question why someone would want pizza with peanut and liver, or why a fish would be embarrassed about an underbite, but children instinctively accept these worlds as perfectly reasonable. The humor often mirrors the way kids think: literal interpretations of idioms, exaggerated worries, and imaginative solutions to everyday problems. That relatability makes the poems feel like they were written with kids rather than for them.
 
Tone-wise, the collection stays light, mischievous, and energetic. A few poems dip into gross-out humor: bugs, boogers, weird food, which many children will find hilarious, though grown-ups with more delicate tastes might wince. Still, the silliness never feels mean-spirited, and there’s an undercurrent of warmth in poems that encourage kindness, curiosity, or empathy, such as the gentle story of the grumpy fish who learns perspective after sharing his past.
 
Overall, The Thingy That’s Stringy is less about teaching lessons and more about celebrating imagination. It feels like pure playful fun on the page, bursting with creativity and energy. For families, classrooms, or anyone reading aloud to kids, it’s a collection that invites participation, silly voices, and plenty of laughter, exactly what a book of ridiculous poems should deliver.

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Paul Kaplan Books!