Booh! by Eugene Field (1899)
The poem tells the story of a ghost who haunts an old mansion and is seen by children playing outside. The ghost tries to entice them to come inside but they are too scared. The poem explores themes of death, the supernatural, and childhood innocence.
By Eugene Field · First published 1899 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor · 293 words
First lines
On afternoons, when baby boy has had a splendid nap, And sits, like any monarch on his throne, in nurse's lap, In some such wise my handkerchief I hold before my face, And cautiously and quietly I move about the place; Then, with a cry, I suddenly expose my face to view, And you should hear him laugh and crow when I say "Booh"!
Sometimes the rascal tries to make believe that he is scared, And really, when I first began, he stared, and stared, and stared; And then his under lip came out and farther out it came, Till mamma and the nurse agreed it was a "cruel shame" -- But now what does that same wee, toddling, lisping baby do But laugh and kick his little heels when I say "Booh!"
What this Textopian page supports
Booh! is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Humor, Family, Fantasy
- Length: 293 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Booh! by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Booh!?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The poem is centered around a playful interaction between a parent and a child, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme typical of poetry.
- Humor — The playful nature of the 'Booh!' game and the child's reactions provide a humorous tone.
- Family — The themes revolve around familial love and bonding between parent and child.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Poetry · Children's literature · Nonsense verse · Whimsical · Playful · Imagination · Fantasy · Adventure · Youthful · Innocence