Good Books – Edgar Guest

Good books are friendly things to own.
If you are busy they will wait.
They will not call you on the phone
Or wake you if the hour is late.

1. Why are good books called friendly?
   Because they make us feel happy and comfortable.
2. What do books do when you are busy?
   They wait quietly for you.
3. Will books call you on the phone?
   No, they never disturb you.
4. Do books wake you up late at night?
   No, they stay silent.
5. How do books behave?
   They are calm and patient.

They stand together row by row,
Upon the low shelf or the high.
But if you’re lonesome this you know:
You have a friend or two nearby.

1. How do books stand on shelves?
   They stand in rows.
2. Where can books be kept?
   On low shelves or high shelves.
3. What happens when you feel lonely?
   Books can be your friends.
4. How many friends can books be?
   One or two, or even more.
5. Why are books good company?
   Because they stay close and make you feel less lonely.

The fellowship of books is real.
They’re never noisy when you’re still.
They won’t disturb you at your meal.
They’ll comfort you when you are ill.

1. What does “fellowship of books” mean?
   It means books give us good company.
2. Are books noisy?
   No, they are always quiet.
3. Do books disturb you while eating?
   No, they never disturb you.
4. How do books help when you are sick?
   They comfort you.
5. Why are books peaceful friends?
   Because they stay silent and calm.

The lonesome hours they’ll always share.
When slighted they will not complain.
And though for them you’ve ceased to care
Your constant friends they’ll still remain.

1. Do books share your lonely hours?
   Yes, they always do.
2. Do books complain when ignored?
   No, they never complain.
3. What happens if you stop caring for books?
   They still remain your friends.
4. Why are books called constant friends?
   Because they stay with you always.
5. How do books show loyalty?
   They stay by your side even when forgotten.

Rhyming

• … own – phone. wait – late.
• … row – know. … high, nearby.
• … real – meal. still, ill.
• … share – care. complain – remain.

Things Books do and Don’t Do