I've never really enjoyed a book containing short stories but this one would probably be the one I like more than others. Rhyme Stew contains fifteen parodies of original short stories we know and love. This is my first book by Roald Dahl and I can say that it wasn't a disappointment. Mr. Dahl has such a wild imagination when it comes to his stories. His first children's book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. The book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, and published in 1943. Dahl went on to create some of the best-loved children's stories of the 20th century, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach. Barbecue or Barbeque – A method of cooking meat or vegetables over an open flame or hot coals, often associated with outdoor cooking or picnics. Overdrew – To withdraw more money from a bank account than is available, often resulting in fees or penalties.

Blue – A color that is often associated with the sky or water, as well as emotions such as sadness or melancholy.

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Qu – A Chinese term meaning “to chant” or “to recite,” often used in the context of religious or spiritual practices. Booboo – A minor injury or mistake, often used in the context of a child’s injury or as a term of endearment. Su – A Chinese term meaning “to search” or “to investigate,” often used in the context of legal or criminal proceedings. Construe – To interpret or understand the meaning of something, often used in the context of analyzing text or language.

Peekaboo – A game played with infants in which someone hides and then suddenly appears while saying “peekaboo,” often used to promote social development in infants. Honeydew – A type of melon with sweet, juicy flesh, often used in the context of fruit salads or smoothies. Achoo – An onomatopoeic word used to represent the sound of a sneeze, often used in informal contexts.The monometer list, full of slant rhyme, becomes incantatory. The repetition of He’s is hypnotic, a string of unstressed syllables that create a singsong effect as we read down the column. Dahl has an incredible facility for putting words in our mouths: putting this poem into the voices of the nervous parents forces readers to vocalize the adjectives too. The words all mean the same thing, and they’re all trochees; we get the sense that the shouts could go on forever. Finally, Charlie’s grandfather breaks the spell: “No, he is not!” Grandpa Joe shouts, cutting off the endlessly iterative form. Endue – To provide someone with a quality or ability, often used in the context of personal growth or development. Muumuu – A loose, flowy dress often worn by women in Hawaii, often made from lightweight cotton or other breathable fabrics. Outgrew – To grow too big for something or to become more mature than something, often used in the context of physical or emotional growth. Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors, and as a child, I re-read his books over and over. And from time to time as an adult, I re-read some of my favorites, such as Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG. Recently, I felt the urge to re-read some of the books I was less familiar with, such as Rhyme Stew.

Hansel and Gretel, whilst wonderfully written, is a very classic adaptation of the story without the Dahlesque twists that made the above poems so fab. The Price of Debauchery was fun (and quite apt!) but a bit short. The other poems were amusing but weren’t quite as striking. Rhyme Stew is a 1989 collection of poems for children by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake. In a sense it is a more adult version of Revolting Rhymes (1982). Sprue – A small rod used to make a mold for casting metal or other materials, often used in the context of manufacturing or foundries. The Tortoise and the Hare - a tortoise has an engine and wheels fitted to win a race against a hare, but the mechanic screws him over and tells the hare what is going on.Shoe – A type of footwear worn to protect or cover the feet, often used in the context of fashion or athletics. Shoo – To drive away or scare off something or someone, often used in the context of animals or pests. Shrew – A small, mouse-like mammal known for its aggressive behavior and sharp teeth, often used in the context of nature or wildlife. The Price of Debauchery - A girl is told by her mother that there's always a price for kissing, but the girl kisses a boy anyway, and then gets a cold. Ballyhoo – A loud or exaggerated advertisement or promotion, often used in the context of marketing or sales.