Everything I Know...I Know...I Learned From Children's Books

Everything I know I know...I learned from children's books One day I ran to Grandpa And I looked into his ear. "Mommy says you're pretty smart Do you keep your brains in here? " Oh, It's too dark. I can't see a thing I don't know what to do. Grandpa is there any way I'll be as smart as you? " Grandpa set me on his lap. He gave my hand a squeeze. "The wisdom you are seeking, Billy Can be found in all of these." He pointed to his bookshelf and said, "Billy..take a look." "Everything I know..I know I learned from children's books." By listening to or reading the words Or inspecting the pictures drawn Oh...the wondrous things that I have seen And the places I have gone. I've been to worlds where strange things happen. I've seen animals dance and sing. I've known fairies and dragons and pirates And Princesses and Kings. I've been to Africa with a curious monkey On a bear hunt under the pines Rescued from a well in China And to France with Madeline Along the way, everywhere I went My imagination has been churned And I'll be glad to share with you Some...of the things that I have learned: I've learned about the weather, From Freddy, he's a frog. I've seen a cold and snowy day I've seen it raining cat's and dogs It seems I've learned so many things I was not taught in school Like what happens when my teacher's missing, And that Wimpy kids are cool. I learned some girls like to be fancy, That there are alphabets in my soups I learned it's okay to wear the color pink And that everybody poops. I learned about dragons, they love tacos, I visited the Wild Things land I learned that when I'm nervous or scared I have my kissing hand. I learned the beauty of inventing words Like this one...maple surple I watched as a boy named Harold drew the moon And I learned nothing rhymes with purple. Dr. Seuss taught me colors and counting I played a game with his Cat in the Hat His Lorax taught me ecology Now what do you think about that? I've learned meatballs can fall from the sky And when you're in a jam What's the best thing you can give yourself... Why...green eggs and ham. Amelia Bedelia taught me how to think She takes things so literally. I've learned of joy and tenderness Under the Giving Tree. I learned to watch the world around me From a poky little pup While a little engine and a steam shovel Taught me never to give up. I've learned that love and tolerance Are what matters in the end. I've learned a lion and a mouse or a spider and a pig Can be the best of friends. I've learned an express train takes you to Santa. That a reindeer's nose can glow. I've learned a frosty snowman can come alive And a Grinch's heart can grow I've learned not to give a mouse a cookie It causes too much of a fuss I've learned that cows can type, bears like honey And not to let pigeons drive the bus. I've learned gentleness from a bull, Integrity from a bat And that one bear can be big and brown While another wears a hat. I've learned fish can come in rainbow colors That a wolf can huff and puff I've learned a caterpillar can be hungry And Billy Goats can be gruff. I've learned to wake up in the morning with a smile. I've learned to sing a happy tune I've learned to think of others...to be nice And say good night to the moon. As I grew up it didn't stop How my learning did expand As I followed a rabbit down a hole And flew to Neverland. I learned about life on the Mississippi Watching a young boy and Indian flee I learned about kindred spirits In a town called Avonlea. I learned from wizards, witches and Hobbits From creatures big and small That goodness wins out in the end And there's magic in us all. "I could go on and on." Grandpa said But to one thought I must return Of all the things I know...I know... There's always more to learn. But if you spend a little time reading Before long this I know Oh the things that you will learn And the places you will go. Then Grandpa set me at my desk And he gave my head a kiss He patted me on my shoulder And then he told me this.... If you're seeking wisdom, Billy You don't have far to look Everything you need to know... Cab be found in children's books. THE END