''Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook'' is a children's book by

Shel Silverstein Sheldon Allan Silverstein (; September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999) was an American writer, poet, cartoonist, singer / songwriter, musician, and playwright. Born and raised in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended universit ...

. A work in progress for the better part of 20 years, the book was published posthumously in 2005. The book is largely composed of

spoonerism A spoonerism is an occurrence in speech in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched (see metathesis) between two words in a phrase. These are named after the Oxford don and ordained minister William Archibald Spooner, w ...

s in rhyming verse.

Plot

Other than speaking only in spoonerisms, Runny is a normal child. He has many friends, and two loving parents, his "Dummy and Mad," who often remind him to "Shake a tower," "Dash the wishes," "Trush your beeth," "Rean up your cloom," and other chores.

References

2005 poetry books 2005 children's books American children's books American poetry collections Children's poetry books Books published posthumously Books about rabbits and hares Books by Shel Silverstein HarperCollins books {{child-book-stub