“To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June.” – Jean-Paul Satre

But sometimes, reading a poem in January can be as fun as swaying through a savanna in June. Why?  Because today’s poem, THE GIRAFFE, by Ron Padgett is about… you guessed it, a giraffe!  Poetry is often called the most concentrated form of literature because every syllable and every letter is carefully designed by the poet to create one exquisite effect.  In THE GIRAFFE, renowned American poet Padgett presents brilliantly humorous wordplay that brings his readers to the very essence of THE GIRAFFE.  See and hear for yourself:

THE GIRAFFE by Ron Padgett

The 2 f’s
in giraffe
are like
2 giraffes
running through
the word giraffe

The 2 f’s
run through giraffe
like 2 giraffes

Read the poem aloud with your children.  Read it several times.  By the 4th of 5th time, you’ll be smiling and laughing at the childlike fascination of those 2 f’s in giraffe, and the poet’s effect will be as clear as a sunny day on the savanna!  You will see the word giraffe exactly as the poet sees it and marvel at the discovery.  And to think that 2 f’s could bring so much fun to your day…

Remember, it’s all about the WORDS.  The fun.  The sharing.  The “Oh, I get it!” feeling of language and words and syllables and, in this case, 2 letters that just happen to run through giraffe.  Kids love this poem.  Have fun with it, too!

LITERACY is all about the words.  Written, Spoken, Felt.