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It is no surprise that Silverstein spent two decades honing these verses, says Antonia Markiet, his editor at HarperCollins Children's Books. "He was very much a perfectionist. He spent an incredible amount of time on every phrase, every word." For all its ingenious variations, Runny Babbit is essentially one joke repeated over 89 pages. But in short installments it offers prime fun for readers young and old--and a fond farewell from a beloved author. Or, as Runny puts it, "Bood-gye ... nor fow."