Amazon.com

The Random House Book of Poetry for Children was recognized upon itspublication in 1983 as an invaluable collection--a modern classic--and it has not since beensurpassed. Five hundred poems, selected by poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky, are divided intobroad subject areas such as nature, seasons, living things, children, and home. The poems of Emily Dickinson, Robert LouisStevenson, RobertFrost, LangstonHughes, NikkiGiovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks populate the book's pages, while Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, Ogden Nash, and Shel Silverstein ensure thatthe collection delights even the most reluctant readers of rhyme. Playground chants, anonymousrhymes, scary poems, silly verse, and even some sad strains are carefully indexed by title, author,first line, and subject. With illustrations of cheerful, round-faced children and animals on everypage, Arnold Lobel (a Caldecott medalist and creator of the Frog and Toad series) unifies thediverse poems to form a satisfying whole; Lobel can draw anything and make it funny--orpoignant, if he chooses. This collection, one of the most varied and complete around, will carryany budding poetry lover through childhood and beyond. (Ages 5 to 11.) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Remembered Forever
I taught myself how to read with this book. I remembered it all my life and bought it for my neice when she was learning to read. I am buying one for my cousin's baby and my friend's baby, and every little child I know. And I'm getting another copy for myself. Every child, boy or girl, should at least have this book of poetry if they can have no other.

After all these years...
I'll be 26 this year, but I'm still able to recite some poems in their entirety... and I haven't seen a copy of the book since I was in the fourth grade. I'm amazed to see that it is still in print and I can't wait to add it to my library again after losing it 16 years ago. This is an excellent gift for any child who enjoys reading and/or poetry.

The Best Book Ever
You should buy the book The Random Book of Poetry for Children because it has funny poems, sad poems, and happy poems. All together it has 572 poems. It can be for children and adults. Also it is my favorite poem book. I think you should buy it. Thank You

*LOVE* this book
Wonderful, just wonderful, this collection of children's poetry sparkles and adds life and verve to any classroom. From the opening stanza of "The Boy What Done A Poo" and the haunting reworking of Goldstein's "Ahhh, I'm telling Miss of you" this anthology will thrill children of all ages, and grown ups too!
(I must point out, however, that the inclusion of controversial poet Sean Hickey's "Bang Bang You're Dead 50 Bullets In Your Head" might cause younger readers some concern).

a real treasure
this book is both wonderful and entertaining. A great book to read to a child and it will bring laughter to you both. Funny adventurous and beautifully illustrated. Introduce your little one to poetry with this great selection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With the release of Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! readers young and old are afforded a dazzling glimpse into the genius of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel. The book is based on 14 rough drawings and verses Geisel's secretary gave to the author's editor, Janet Schulman, after his death in 1991. In these scribbled sketches and scratched-out lines, we witness the Seussian process in building a story. When brainstorming the name of what resulted in the Diffendoofer School, he jots down several possible names--"William Wilkins Woofer Junior," "Woodrow Watkins Woofer," "Zoofendorf Elementary," "J. Ebeneezer Bomberg Jr."--all of a slightly different cadence and rhythm, which he tests like a composer writing a new concerto.

A small collection of Geisel's rough sketches would be plenty to thrill even the Grinchiest of readers, but there's much more to this marvelous book. Renowned children's poet Jack Prelutsky and award-winning illustrator Lane Smith were called to action by Schulman to pull these sketches into a complete story that would make Dr. Seuss fruffulous with glee. Prelutsky's delicious verse is uncannily Seussian, and it is inexplicably sensational when exploring the Diffendoofer School to discover good old Horton, a platter of green eggs and ham, and a few Whos from Who-ville scattered across the surreal and fascinating landscape of Smith's artwork. Lane and Prelutsky have gone above and beyond the call of duty, maintaining the characters and themes Geisel was just beginning to develop, but enhancing them with their own delightful stylistic stamps.

Above all, this incredible book is an ode to unorthodox, unusually creative teachers, and the innovative thinking they encourage in young minds. (Miss Twining, for example, teaches "how to tell chrysanthemums from miniature poodles.") It is a noble theme, and one that Geisel surely had in mind when he concocted these preliminary sketches. Both new Dr. Seuss aficionados and those who remember The Cat in the Hat's 1957 debut will cherish this book for its message, artwork, and poetry, and most of all, as a tribute to the man who inspired thousands of readers. (Age 3 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (33)

If Number 2 pencils make you cringe . . .
I loved Dr. Seuss as a kid, but I have to admit, I don't always like reading him aloud now that I'm a parent. Don't tell my kids, but I know how Green Eggs and Ham ended up behind the sofa. Mom and Dad hid it there after they'd been forced to read about boxes and foxes and sockses too many times in a row one night. This new book, based on notes and sketches found among Dr. Seuss's papers after his death, might escape the fate of Sam-I-am, at least in our house. There are some definite funny moments. Discussing the cafeteria workers, the narrator says, "They make us hot dogs, beans, and fries, / Plus things we do not recognize." Although the food may resemble that found in some educational institutions, the philosophy does not. Instead of teaching the students the traditional canon and rote memorization, the teachers at Diffendoofer teach an eclectic mix. Extolling the virtues of his teacher, Miss Bonkers, the narrator says: She even teaches frogs to dance. And pigs to put on underpants. One day she taught a duck to sing -- Miss Bonkers teaches EVERYTHING! Of all the teachers in our school, I like Miss Bonkers best. Our teachers are all different, But she's different-er than the rest. Most of all, the teachers teach their students how to think. This works great, until the day of the dreaded standardized test. If the students at Diffendoofer School don't pass with flying colors, they'll be forced to go to Flobbertown, where everyone does everything the same. Amazingly enough, the test covers all the things the Diffendoofer teachers have been teaching -- and for those questions on material they haven't covered yet, the students use their thinking skills to come up with the right answers. Lane Smith's illustrations pay tribute to Dr. Seuss. Several characters from Seuss books walk the halls of Diffendoofer School, along with Smith's more angular characters. The library is stocked with Seuss books. At the end of the book, there's the story of how this book came to be. After reading the original verses and studying the original sketches, I re-read the story and marveled at how Prelutsky and Smith took a small amount of material and fashioned Hooray for Diffendoofer Day.

Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!!!
Hooray!!! The genius of Dr. Suess is teamed with that of Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith to produce an outstanding book full of rhymes -- and reason. Diffendoofer School is a santuary for individuality. Why take spelling tests, when yelling contests are so much more fun? Everyone in the school has a unique talent they contribute - like Miss Bonkers, who teaches frogs to dance; and pigs to put on underpants! The students and Diffendoofer love its zany outlook, until a test threatens to send them to Flobbertown, where everyone's the same. But Miss Bonkers has faith in her pupils and chirps:

"We've taught you that the earth is round, that red and white make pink. But most importantly of all: We've taught you how to think..."

And when the test comes, it is filled with things they do know. And for the questions they didn't know, somehow they answered them, proving what Miss Bonkers said. This book is a great gift, and proves that a little fun can't hurt! Three cheers for Diffendoofer Day!!!

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!

Great Story; Not Very Seuss-like Art
The concept of this book is from Dr. Seuss- he drew sketches and some verses before he died. The details of the story is from another writer who does a wonderful job. I believe the author did a terrific job keeping Dr. Seuss's touch on the book and really made it a wonderful story. But I dislike the art. I think the art makes the book one that I don't want to have. The art is done by Lane Smith, the same guy who did work on 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and he drew this book and the characters for that movie the same way. Some of the character drawings in the book, especially one of a clown that appears on one page, are rather scary-looking. I believe the artist strayed completely away from Dr. Seuss's concept for the book. In Seuss's sketches that he did before he died, he drew the main character, Ms. Bonkers as a sweet old, gray-haired teacher. He also drew a sketch of another lead character, the school's principal. Lane Smith drew Ms. Bonkers as a young, blonde teacher who I imagine, is supposed to be rather attractive. He draws the principal in the book somewhat scary. In Dr. Seuss's sketches for the concept of the book, Dr. Seuss drew and versed that the principal liked to watch Ms. Bonkers jump on a trampoline, which was cute and funny when you see a gray-haired woman in a long, bulky, old-lady dress down to her ankles jumping upside down in mid-air with the old principal watching humorously in the far background, as Dr. Seuss drew in his concept sketch. It is not so cute, and somewhat perverted I think, when Lane Smith draws a young Ms. Bonkers jumping up in the air in a not-so-long dress, with the scary-looking principal standing underneath, looking upwards. We own just about every Dr. Seuss book that he made. We got this one from the library to see if wanted to buy it... we don't. I think the publisher did a great job picking the author. But I belive the publisher really messed up when they chose Lane Smith as the artist and allowed him to draw like something from a 'Nightmare' and yet still think they can put Dr. Seuss's name on the book in order to sell it. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Student Teacher
I absolutely love this book! My Language Arts teacher in my Credential Program, in Chula Vista, read us this book before we had to take a huge test. I was so inspired I bought my own copy. It is a wonderful book for all teachers to have. Read it to your students before those standardized tests! Trust me... they will love it!!

Hooray For Diffendoofer Day! by
This book is amazing! It has a personality of its own. It would be so awesome if my school was like that. My teachers would be teaching frogs to dance, ducks to sing, and how to tell the difference between chrysanthemums and miniature poodles! Who would want to leave a school where you can yell in the library? Even the fact that the school is called Diffendoofer makes me want to learn there.
The children love the unique things about the school but the principal threatens that if the students don't do well on the test they will have to go to Flobbertown where everything is the same.
The teacher is confident that they will do well. She tells them, "I'm certain you'll succeed. We've taught you that the earth is round, that red and white make pink, and something else that matters more we've taught you how to think."
I think this book is for everyone; parents will enjoy it as well as children! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Poems about picnics, pretending, and puppies make this book the book to introduce little ones to poetry about the world around them. Jack Prelutsky, one of today's most respected children's poets, has selected more than 200 short poems--old favorites, traditional rhymes, and humorous verses--that will delight young listeners. The poems cover a wide range of experiences in a young child's life, from everyday events to special days to the world of the imagination.

Marc Brown, author and illustrator of the popular Arthur series, uses colored-pencil illustrations and borders to unify the poems, helping to create a pleasing, lively collection to carry children from their preschool years into the early elementary grades. As Jim Trelease tells us in his introduction to the book, "Unlike the toys we buy our children, poems cannot break." (Ages 2 to 7) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The kids' book that YOU will enjoy reading!
I bought this book because Jim Trelease recommends it. Jim's Read Aloud Handbook is the definitive work on how reading to children is the #1 factor in increasing intelligence. Read-Aloud Rhymes is fun, funny and I have never tired of reading its many poems over the past two years to my kids (4 year old boy, twin 2 year old girls). It is my favorite and theirs as well.

If your little ones are driving you nuts and you feel like you're stuck on an island (like they're starring in Lord of the Flies), this book could save your life! Seriously, it is the best book for children in print today. I spend tons of time and the library and this book is one you must take home to keep.

Toddler Favorite
I purchased this for my son over a year ago, he is 3 now & this is one of his favorite books. Its a family treasure & every child should have one in their collection.

Great book for kids AND PARENTS
The short, unique rhymes are so fun to read. They are charming and sweet for little ones and parents and so much nicer than those awful Mother Goose nursery rhymes. They're organized by subject matter, so there's a section on rain, going to bed, the garden, etc. The illustrations by Marc Brown alone are worth the price. It's a pleasure to read so many funny, uplifting rhymes...not plotless tradgedies like humpty, dumpty and Jack and Jill. I look forward to reading to my baby as much as he does.

Buy this book for New Parents!!
This is the most wonderful book for young children! I bought this for my daughter when she was about two, and we both had the most wonderful time reading it. She is now 13, and this is still one of her most treasured books. Who can resist such poems as "Higglety Pigglety, Pop! The dog has eaten the mop. The pig's in a hurry, and the cat's in a flurry, Higglety pigglety, Pop! Another favorite is the one about Noise, which I read faster and faster until ending with an urgent, "STOP, STOP!". We always buy this book to give as baby gifts and you should too! And remember, "A flea and a fly and a kangaroo, jumped for a prize in a pot of glue...." ... Read more

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"I objurgate the centipede,/ A bug we do not really need," writes Ogden Nash. Carl Sandburg hums and strums, while pages later, William Jay Smith compares a toaster to a silver-scaled dragon. And of course A.A. Milne must add his two cents' worth, "tiddely pom, tiddely pom." What a labor of love! Children's poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky has collected 211 of his favorite poems by 137 poets, representing the best of verse from each decade of the 20th century. "Until this century, most children's poetry was either syrupy sweet or overblown and didactic, and tended to talk down to its readers," Prelutsky writes in his introduction. "Contemporary children's poets have thrown all that condescension and moralizing out the window, and write with today's real child in mind."

What's in this anthology for today's child? Food fights, outer space, animals, noses, monsters, sports, and sibling rivalry. Each of award-winning illustrator Meilo So's spectacular watercolor-splashed spreads reflects a theme: one buggy watercolor romp is surrounded by Deborah Chandra's "Cricket," Walter R. Brooks's "Ants, Although Admirable, Are Awfully Aggravating," and Robert Frost's "Blue-Butterfly Day." Five nocturnal poems nestle into a moonlit cityscape. Four music-related poems, from Bruce Lansky's "My Violin" to X.J. Kennedy's "The Girl Who Makes the Cymbals Bang," burst from So's cacophonous paintings. This excellent collection, a companion to The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury, belongs on every poetry lover's bookshelf. Prelutsky, creator of The New Kid on the Block, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, and more than 30 other poetry books, has perfect pitch. (Click to see a samplespread. Illustrations copyright 1999 by Meilo So. Permission of Alfred A. Knopf.) (All ages) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury
My daughter's favorite bedtime reading. A wonderful collection of poetry for children (and entertaining reading for adults too!). Fun rhymnes, bright illustrations and humorous approach make my 3 1/2 year old laughout loud. She asks for poems by name -- especially "My Name Is". This book makes reading poetry a joyful experience and will be the first Christmas gift I send the children on my list this year.

Great collection with beautiful illustrations
This is a great gift to kids (and adults) that like playing with words. Jack Prelutsky has compiled some of the best poetry of the 20th Century. His aim is true. There are no clunkers in this anthology. The poetry covers the broad range from wistful to joyful, with imagination to spare.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the illustrations by Meilo So. They gorgeously illustrate the gist of many poems. Just like the poems, the paintings drip with imagination and wonder.

Some people may frown at spoon-feeding images, rather than letting the child make up his/her own. They may have a point, yet you can always discuss the images with the kid, decide whether they properly frame the poems and/or discuss what other images would have been better. In other words, these illustrations can be used a spring board for further imaginative work.

All in all, I highly recommend this book.

Engaging way to introduce children to poetry.
When I ordered this book, I was very curious to see how my first-grader, a beginner reader, would respond to poetry that was more sophisticated and literary than the rhyming words of her preschool books. She absolutely loved it, understanding enough of the content, intrigued by the colorful illustrations and entertained by the way poems sound when read aloud. For the parent, it's a welcomed change of pace from reading stories aloud. For the child, it's an imaginative introduction to the different ways words can be used to express thoughts and feelings. I liked it so much that I ordered a copy for my child's first-grade class. ... Read more

Book Description

A creature whispers:

If not for the cat,
And the scarcity of cheese,
I could be content.

Who is this creature?
What does it like to eat?
Can you solve the riddle?

Seventeen haiku composed by master poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by renowned artist Ted Rand ask you to think about seventeen favorite residents of the animal kingdom in a new way. On these glorious and colorful pages you will meet a mouse, a skunk, a beaver, a hummingbird, ants, bald eagles, jellyfish, and many others. Who is who? The answer is right in front of you. But how can you tell? Think and wonder and look and puzzle it out!

Book Description

Jack Prelutsky is widely acknowledged as the poet laureate of the younger generation. (And many people would happily see him crowned with no age qualification.) The New Kid on the Block and Something Big Has Been Here are household words wherever there are kids.

Here is another wondrously rich, varied, clever - and always funny - collection. Meet Miss Misinformation, Swami Gourami, and Gladiola Gloppe (and her Soup Shoppe), and delight in a backwards poem, a poem that ever ends, and scores of others that will be changed, read, and loved by readers of every age. The Prelutsky-Stevenson duo is irresistible. Whether you begin at the beginning or just open the book at random, you won't stop smiling.

Reviews (12)

Engaging! Hilarious! Great fun!
Jack Prelutsky's A Pizza The Slice of the Sun is the talk of my reading classes! The poems are a terrific way to engage my remedial readers' thinking skills while tickling their funny bones -- even on a bad day! They look forward to the silly, creative ways Mr. Prelutsky looks at life, and often ask for an extra "listening skills" activity just to get to hear another round of silly poems. We often use the Random House Book of Poetry for Children edited by Prelutsky and Lobel as well. Another classic sure to put a grin on everyone's face! Who says poetry has to be boring?!? A definite MUST HAVE for any classroom library!

My Daughter Loved It!
Young girls budding on becoming teenagers are hard to please...but this book did it.

My 10 year old loved the book and I frequently enjoy hearing her read it to her younger sibling.

I feel it teaches children as they are reading it. Not only does it teach them poetry and poems, it also teaches them it is ok to have fun in life...a difficult concept for serious children.

I would recommend this book to those who have children who enjoy reading and need help in prioritization.

Just OK
The book A Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelusty was just okay. I gave this book two stars. My favorite poem was "I Was Walking in a Circle" because it keeps going on and on. Some of the poems were boring. I would not recommend this book to anyone else because I do not like poetry.

FUN FUN FUN and FUNNIER!
We love this book! My twin 8 year olds and I read this from time to time for a really good laugh. Everyone takes turns and it makes for enjoyable reading and sharing. A great way to capture the hesitant reader! Silly poetry that is just plain FUN!

a real kid pleaser
My grandsons....ages 8, 3 and 2...all love this CD. We play it every morning on the way to school and they all sing along. To say I recommend it would be an understatement ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. "These nonsense verses combine the domestic and the gross, deadpan and slapstick, with a lilting rhythm and satisfying rhyme. The poets are well-known contemporaries including Prelutsky, Silverstein, Kuskin, Lobel, Viorst, and many more. The design is ebullient. Start or end story hour with these verses, and kids will know reading's a pleasure."--(starred) Booklist. ... Read more

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In this delightful companion to Jack Prelutsky's The New Kid on the Block, an early worm frightens the early bird, four vain and ancient tortoises race to see who can get to the finish line last, and outrageous imaginary characters such as the "Know-Nothing Neebies" ("We're perfectly pompous, / indelibly dense, / we haven't a trace / of a semblance of sense") pop up as magically as any creature from The Phantom Tollbooth or The Wizard of Oz ever did.

In "Captain Conniption," young readers will giggle to meet the self-professed "scourge of the sea." "I'm Captain Conniption, / and up to no good, / you'll soon walk the plank / if I think that you should, / I'd show you right now / how I vanquish a foe, / but I hear my mother, / so I have to go." Other subjects near and dear to children's hearts make fabulous fodder for fun, including sibling rivalry, bad table manners, meatloaf, and bats. Illustrator James Stevenson's lively line drawings capture Prelutsky's goofy poetic antics perfectly, making this collection another essential addition to any child's library. (Ages 4 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Silly, goofy and fun fun fun!
This collection of Jack Prelutsky's silly and goofy poems is a must-have in any self-respecting poetry collection. The subjects of the poems range from mask-wearing earthworms to a room-trashing robot; from wishes to be bigger, to fishing in the desert. Children will laugh at the fearsome pirate "Captain Conniption," terror of the seas, who always obeys his mother. Many will sympathize with the longing of the boy in "My Brother is a Quarterback" who yearns to be a great athlete like his brother is.

"I Wave Goodbye When Butter Flies" is an excellent example of the oddities of the English language. The poem turns such common phrases as "pocket change" and "coffee break" on their ears and makes them into something new. There are subtle puns on condiments in "We're Fearless Flying Hotdogs" (can you find the one for saurkraut?). The emptyheadedly happy expressions on the five flying franks make the whole idea even funnier.

James Stevenson's line drawings accentuate the levity and absurdity of the poems. His artwork for "An Elephant is Hard to Hide" demonstrates even better than words the impossibility of stuffing an elephant into a dresser drawer. The expression of glee on the face of the boy reveling in "Mold, Mold" is identical to expressions seen in mud puddley schoolyards.

This volume is a treasure for both children and adults. It's a great way to spend some time laughing with a child (or by yourself).

great for kids of all ages
I ADORE this book. I've been reading and re-reading it since I was in middle school and still get a kick out of the bizarre, witty and hilarious poems and the great variety in the vocabulary. It's one of my "happy books" I read when I'm depressed. Prelutsky is a genius when it comes to poetry for kids (and the young-at-heart!). Get this book, if you have any sense of humor or the absurd you'll love it.

A book we both enjoy!
My eight yr. old loves Jack Prelutsky's poems (she has three of his books) but it is also a book that both of us enjoy reading. The poems are very funny and the words he uses are wonderfully descriptive and have expanded her vocabulary. We both highly recommend this book and others by Jack Prelutsky.

POet of the Century
Jack Prelutsky is far and away the best poet for kids. Hisverse is full of the joy of life and a chuckle or two, as well as hissignature multisyllabic vocabulary, and it's all wonderful to read aloud. Keep a copy in the car for the kids to read while you drive.

A EXTREMLY FUNNY, entertaining group of poems.
I loved the poem "The Turkey Shot out of the Oven!" The whole book is a great collection of poems that make Jack Prelutsky shine. Everyone no matter what age, needs this book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This exuberant valise of verse bulges with more than 100 poems about things you've never thought about, such as Underwater Wibbles who dine exclusively on cheese, and things you probably have thought about, such as sneezing oysters and the dot-gobbling Flotz. Jack Prelutsky, one of the premier children's poets of our time, manages to be deadpan and goofy simultaneously andin perfect rhythm right up to the pleasantly unpredictable punch lines of his poems.

Take "Jellyfish Stew." "You're soggy, you're smelly, / you taste like shampoo, / you bog down my belly / with oodles of goo, / yet I would glue noodles / and prunes to my shoe, / for one oozy spoonful / of jellyfish stew." Poems about greedy grannies, exploding Bloders, and hypothetical situations such as having your nose unfortunately situated between your toes are guaranteed to delight you and your favorite kids. Quirky, surprising, and always delightful, Prelutsky's poems make us wish we'd grown up with his books in hand. Illustrator James Stevenson's loose pen-and-ink sketches are lively and fluid, waltzing along perfectly with Prelutsky's playful poetry. Once you and your children have howled your way through this ALA Notable Book, you'll be happy to discover that this talented pair has created two other meaty collections, including Something BIG Has Been Here and A Pizza the Size of the Sun. (Ages 4 to12) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Brace yourself for more pun-ishment from the playful Jack Prelutsky andillustrator James Stevenson, creators of The New Kid on the Block, Something Big Has Been Here,and A Pizza the Size of theSun. More than 100 Prelutsky poems populate the pages--a mix of8-year-old-boy humor, nonsense poetry in the tradition of Ogden Nash and Edward Lear,and clever, often unabashedly shameless, wordplay. While there are many, manydoozies, our favorite is "Hiccup!," excerpted here:

I've tried gulping hiccup water,
stood upon my hiccup head,
held my breath until my hiccup
hiccup face turned hiccup red.

Chronic cogitators are celebrated in "Quibble Q. Quing" (who thinks aboutthings), and wild imaginations in "Purple Orangutans:" ("Rabbits and parrotsplay tag in the stars, / marshmallows march in the meadows of Mars... / theseare a few of the wonders I find / in the magic museum I keep in my mind.")Children find a kindred spirit in Prelutsky, a poet who knows full well thatoverweight underdogs and chocolate-covered salami and Sniffing Snutterwudds arealways worth a giggle. Stevenson's understated (but always expressive) linedrawings suit this silly collection to a T. (Perfect for reading aloud toyounger readers, but wordsmiths ages 9 and older will pick up all the puns.)--Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The FUNNIEST Poems!
One of the funniest poems we read was "I'm Stuck Inside a Seashell"! ...And one of the poems is "It's Raining Pigs and Noodles", just like the title (and they don't even just talk about pigs and noodles - they talk about all sorts of other things!)

All the poems are so funny and I was able to read some of them myself! ...And I learned never to take a bath all day and all night (Ha! Ha!)! I can't wait to read his other books!

Mom's note: "This collection of poems was simply adorable. I enjoyed reading them with my child as much as she enjoyed hearing them. ...And the simplicity of the poems allowed her to read some of them to me as well. A highly recommended bit of silliness!"

Something for Everyone
Jack Prelutsky's It's Raining Pigs and Noodles is a wonderful,imaginative collection of poems the whole family will enjoy, that willmake you smile, giggle, laugh and sometimes roar. His witty, sillyand often irreverent verses are full of wordplay, puns, jokes, andeven fun with shapes. Where else can you find out about Grungy Grace"I hardly ever brush my teeth or wash my hands and face..."or Plooters "We are Plooters, we don't care, we make messeseverywhere..." or Titanic Timmy Tinkletunes "that when heplays the violin, he has to use a cello." James Stevenson'ssimple, humorous, yet expressive black and while illustrations, addjust the right touch and compliment each poem perfectly. This is abook younger children will want to hear again and again, older kidswill want to read over and over and adults will just plain enjoy. Sosit back, put your feet up and find out why "I'm Ironing myRhinoceros", what happens to "The Dancing Hippopotami"and where "There was Unabated Chaos". You can't go wrongwith this book!

laugh yourself silly
The creators of "The New Kid on the Block", and "A Pizza the Size of the Sun" are back and just a looney as ever. There are over 100 poems to make you giggle, guffaw, snort and chuckle.

Prelutsky's poems alternate between being witty, sweet, nonsensical and often totally shamless! And Stevenson's illustrations are a giggle unto themselves. You will find yourself reading and re-reading them to your kids -- and for yourself. Pick it and don't be ashamed to laugh yourself silly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Poet Jack Prelutsky again pairs up with two-time Caldecott Honor artistPeter Sís to create Scranimal Island, a fantastical, off-the-map place inhabitedby unusual animals from Hippopotamushrooms to Potatoads to a pride ofBroccolions. A boy and girl on a scooter, equipped with essentials from umbrellato inner tube, fly from habitat to habitat over Sís's dreamy, mountainouslandscapes à la Tibet: Throughthe Red Box. They make their way through the clutch of Spinachickens,past the Camelberta Peaches to the "Sweet Porcupineapple, / Unflappable chap, /You happily amble / All over the map." Prelutsky's biological inventions are asclever as they are silly, and it's wonderful that kids are allowed to figure outthe hybrid themselves in Rhinocerose, Cardinalbacore, etc. Prelutsky's glee iscontagious, and kids will get a kick out of the wordplay in poems like "Oh SleekBananaconda": "You slither on your belly, / And you slither on your chin. /You're only unappealing / As you shed your slinky skin." Pronunciation guidesfor each creature garnish each page, in case you can't pronounce Toucanemonesright off the bat, and an iconic guide to the island's animals adorns the tableof contents page. Gorgeous endpapers reveal Sís's map of Scranimal Island andits curious denizens. It's impossible to pick a favorite, between theunbelievably cute Pandaffodil and the detested Radishark. Highly recommended.(Ages 6 to 10) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Book Description

What do you do when you're in bed and the lights are out but you still can't sleep? One boy finds plenty to keep him busy. First, he reads a little-under the covers with a flashlight, of course. Then, he sneaks into the kitchen for a piece of chocolate cake. Later, he listens to the rain and watches the nighttime shadows. What do you do when you're awake when you should be asleep? Maybe you could be reading this book!

Reviews (2)

Nice collection of poems
This collection of poems relate to bedtime and nighttime. While much shorter than Jack's better known collections ("New Kid on the Block", etc.), I believe the emotional range is broader in this book. This book includes wistful poems and cutesy-scary poems, that would feel out of place in Jack's funny poems compilations. Of course, there are many funny poems, but the real gems are the others.

High marks to Jack.

I Thnk This Book Is A Great One! I Really Reccomend It!
I think many kids of all ages will enjoy this book. Many of Jack Prelutsky's books tickle your funny bone! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Playful poet Jack Prelutsky and the beloved Petra Mathers (Lottie's New Beach Towel)take youngsters from the heart of South Dakota to Monterey Bay in thisextraordinary collection of poems and paintings that belongs on the shelf nextto Ride a Purple Pelicanand Beneath a BlueUmbrella. As ever, Prelutsky's meter is flawless, and you absolutelyread his poems aloud, even if you're sitting in a room by yourself. This is notthe gross-out fare that Prelutsky so delightfully dishes out in Awful Ogre's Awful Day and someof his other books. Here are 28 nonsensical, often somewhat geographical poemsfor preschoolers and early readers about a tiny baker who bakes a tiny cookie, agranny who lost her footing and fell into pudding, elephants who sit in treesand sneeze, and a small hen who is stuck at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Withthe lightest touch, Petra Mathers adds new dimensions and quirky subplots toevery poem in endearing two-pages-per-poem watercolor paintings. Young readerswill adore this colorful collection of quiet surprises by two of our favoritecreators of children's books. (Ages 2 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fun for reader & readee...
My nearly 2 year old daughter has us read this to her over and over. Last week at a restaurant she spontaneously started reciting "Peanut Peg & Peanut Pete". It's fun to read cover to cover or just a few. And I can see her reading it for many years to come.

Definitely a good addition to your child's library.

Happy Mom
My son is about to turn 4 and LOVES this book. We make up songs to many on the poems, act out the different siutations and went in search of red suspenders for him. The poems are simple but visual and evocative of seasons, moods and fun. I highly recommend it!!!

More enchanting chldren's rhymes from Jack Prelutsky
The frog wore red suspenders
and the pigs worse purple vests,
as they sang to all the chickens
and the ducks upon their nests.

They croaked and oinked a serenade,
the ducks and chickens sighed,
then laid enormous spangled eggs,
and quacked and clucked with pride.

Earlier generations had Edward Lear, Dr. Seuss and Tom Lehrer to introduce them to the wonders of what some might disparage as mere "nonsense" verse. To the list of those for whom words are mere play things, we can add Jack Prelutsky, who presents these poems about people and animals set off in such exotic locals from Monterey to Winnemuca. These poems, intended for children age 5 and up, will introduce young readers to Peanut Peg and Peanut Pete of Atlanta, Spotter and Swatter two talented otters, and an elephant perched on a sycamore tree in Indianapolis. Plus, wait until you see what happens in Tuscaloose, after dark.

"The Frog Wore Red Suspenders" includes over two dozen poems, illustrated by Petra Mathers in a sort of American primitive style that young child will find comforting (my favorite is her painting for "In Minot, North Dakota," where the snowmouse blows away). But the chief charm of this book are the funny verses, especially if the kids happen to find one about the city in which they live.

"Read it again!! Read it again!!"
This is a wonderful book! My nieces would not let me put it down. They kept shouting "Read it again!". The illustrations are so nice and I love how the auther incorporates names of cities (Tusculoosa--what a great word!) and famous places into the poems. You will want every child you know to have a copy.

A Total Delight for Young and Old
Shopping for a birthday present, I came across this book. I have never been big on poetry for children (don't ask why; I guess because I didn't like it as a child), and I almost didn't open this book. What a mistake that would have been.

Every single page of this wonderful, fanciful and subtly geographical collection is better than the one before. Here we have a poem that extolls the virtues of Indianapolis (one doesn't see too many Indianapolis poems!) in a ridiculous but so- sweet poem. There are elephants in trees, and frogs in suspenders, and all the other lovely ideas that children can accept and love without question.

The drawings by Petra Mathers make the book. I can't list a favorite; each one, so colorful, so fanciful, and so very endearing, compliments the poem it illustrates.

What I like best about this book, however, is that it encourages a love of the English language without ever letting the child know it is doing so. The wonderful tongue-rolling combination of words, the silly (but not really) images the words evoke, and the simple joy in every poem are tailor-made to enchant a child and encourage him or her to read more.

Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"If you don't believe in dragons, / It is curiously true / That the dragons you disparage / Choose to not to believe in you," matter-of-factly claims America's premiere children's poet Jack Prelutsky. Dragons aren't all the same, of course--some are amiable, some are disconsolate, and some are downright nasty. Here Prelutsky, who has written over 30 books of poetry for children, turns his considerable talents to the subject of dragons--a secret dragon, a thunder dragon, a mechanical dragon, even a lazy dragon who likes to sleep all day. The 17 poems range from the whimsical to the scary, but all reflect Prelutsky's incomparable flair for rhythm and humor. The fabulous fire-breathers are illustrated in all their irresistible splendor by award-winning artist Peter Sis. The sophisticated style of his large oil paintings is complemented by his trademark borders in antique gold, giving the pages an Old World look. If you don't believe in dragons then you need this book, because the magical combination of art and poetry will make you and your kids believers. If you listen closely, you might even hear the dragons singing tonight: "We are dragons! We are real!" (Click to see a sample spread. Text © 1993 by Jack Prelutsky. Illustrations © 1993 by Peter Sis. Permission by Greenwillow Books.) (Ages 5 to 9) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A great dragon book for dragon-lovers of any age.
The "Chicago Tribune" said that this book is for kids age 12 and under. I have to say I can't agree . . . this book is perfect for dragon- and fantasy-lovers of _any_ age! Poems like, "If you don't believe in dragons,/it is curiously true/that the dragons you disparage/choose to not believe in you." make this book one of the best you can buy. With enchanting poems and absoulutly gorgous pictures, it makes you realize dragons surely exist. I'm sure any dragon would recomend it to you!

Have you ever met a "Nasty Dragon"?
My three year old son loves dragons, but they also scare him sometimes too. This book is one of his favorites because the poems are fun (like "Nasty little dragonsong" and "I have a dozen dragons", to name a couple) and the illustrations are not scary at all. We enjoy looking at the pictures and he loves to hear the poems. In fact, the poem called "I am boom!" the thunder dragon has made him a little less frightened of thunderstorms. We just say "There's that old boom again!" and he settles down, whenever thunder is rolling overhead. If your child is interested in dragons, this is a great edition to your library. Lovely illustrations and fun-to-read poems.

Sophisticated, Yet Fun
When I first read this book, I was six years old, and very enthralled with dragons. Now I'm well past my "Dragon Phase," but I still find this book a joy to read. The poems are very well written, considering the age group this book is meant for, with some large words such as "disconsolate" and "cacophonous". As a little kid, I actually learned some new vocabulary words from having the poems read to me. I like how the poems have many different moods: some are playful, some serious, some funny, and some scary. But the best part to me is the illustrations. They are detailed and creative. I used to just stare at the last picture in the book (A rustic scene of a mountain shaped like a dragon) and imagine I was there. Overall, this is a wonderful picture book.

Kids love this book, so do I
We got this book as a gift. I love the poems, and they read with a sort of happy cadence, even the ones with the more wicked lyrics. But more than anything, I really enjoy the artwork, which is reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts. Very appropriate. After reading this to my kids, I like to watch them run around pretending to be fire-breathing monster dragons. Much fun.

A bit dissapointing
After reading the details on this book I have to admit that I was dissapointed when I received it. Not only was it a smaller book than I anticipated, but I felt somewhat "empty" after reading it.

I love dragons, but found that the dragons in these poems were remote and a little unbelievable.

The artwork is beautiful though. ... Read more

Book Description

"In an intriguing combination of fact with rollicking rhyme schemes and full-page portraits, the dinosaurs are rejuvenated once again to amuse and amaze their devoted fans....These poems are readable, quotable, and unforgettable....A wonderful book to savor--again and again."--Horn Book. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A fun book for young children who love dinosaurs
My son, now 12, used to love this book when he was 3 and 4 years old. It was also a lot of fun to read for me!

Prelutsky is wonderful for kids and adults.
Several years after reading this book, I can still recall by heart many of Prelutsky's clever rhymes and catchy rhythms.The amazing thing is:so can my kids! The favorite dinosaurs such as T-Rex are given their poeticdue, but so are lesser known dinosaurs such as leptoterigius andquetzelcoatlus. (sp?)Although I love all of Prelutsky's whimsical poetry,I felt this book was better suited for young listeners than such works as"It's Snowing! It's Snowing".(Perhaps because the subjectmatter is more familiar to the pre-school set)Some parents may not likethe occasional graphic imagery, but lets face it: carniverous dinosaurswere not dainty eaters!The poetry is too lyrical to be truly gruesome,and besides, all kids like to be grossed out a little bit.If your childis at all into dinosaurs, this may be a good addition to your home library.

Tyrannosaurus Was a Beast
"...Allosaurus liked to hunt,and when it caught its quarry,it tore it open,back and front,and never said," I'm sorry!" Allosaurus liked to eat,and using teeth and talons,it stuffed itself with tons of meat,andguzzled blood by gallons." If you think your child does not see enoughviolence on TV then you should buy this book!

Very good way of teaching youngsters about dinosaurs.
I read this book for the simple reason of having an interest in dinosaurs.I had never seen dinosaur poetry before and was quite amazed at how theauthor wrote at a child's level to know more about dinosaurs. I think thatif a child has interest in dinosaurs, this book is a fun way to go aboutlearning. It not only teaches them about dinosaurs and the way they lived,what they ate, etc., but also about poetry at the same time. This was adinoriffic book! I recommend it to everyone with an interest in dinosaurs.:) ... Read more

Amazon.com

This collection of Jack Prelutsky is delightfully nonsensical, as we've come to expect from the creator of The New Kid on the Block and more than 40 other equally zany collections. We were thinking of Edward Lear's The Jumblies as we read, "Jilliky Jolliky Jelliky Jee,/three little cooks in a coconut tree,/one cooked a peanut and one cooked a pea,/one brewed a thimble of cinnamon tea,/then they sat down to a dinner for three,/Jilliky Jolliky Jelliky Jee." If you've wondered why potatoes can't see even with all those eyes, or why poor Pennington Poe is weeping, this is the book for you and your kids. Garth Williams, illustrator of Charlotte's Web and Bedtime for Frances, enhances this lively collection with his whimsical, expressive paintings. (Ages 2 to 6) ... Read more

Reviews (8)

WONDERFUL CLASSIC
I read this book to all of my children (now grown) and have given it as a gift to an adult artist. The playful rhymes and beautiful illustrations have classic appeal for all generations. I think adults respond to the book because each carefully crafted yet simple rhyme (they roll off the tongue and are fun to read aloud) and illustration evokes something inside, perhaps just the simplicity of our childhood.They are also very funny. (Except for poor old Pennington Poe who has a truck stuck in the snow and his donkey is slow, we all have days like that.) I find myself occasionally remembering one of the rhymes with my kids, and we have a great laugh as we remember a particular rhyme! They are each relatively short, so you can make it through the book fairly quickly and it holds a young child's interest, unlike some of the more lengthy Shel Silverstein poems. I highly recommend this book- it is a classic that should be in every library. As many times as I have read it, it never tires.

Best rhymes since Mother Goose
Of all the books we read together, and there were many by the time my daughter was enough of an under-the-blanket reader to finish them on her own sometime before breakfast, this one, like few others (Wind in the Willows, Secret Garden, for example) never wore itself out. Ride a Purple Pelican was a trusty cue for wonderful bedtimes!

The back cover shows the splendid and heartbreaking image of a little boy on a silver stork in the sunset above the clouds, with the looming towers of the World Trade Center resolving into beautiful, grey sleep (sixteen years ago).

Fun Rhymes and colorful, silly illustrations.
The rhymes were a bit tricky to read and I'm not sure if my almost-four-year-old understood them all, but she enjoyed the sing-song sound of them, when I didn't flub reading! She liked the illustrations and I did to, as I have a particular fondness for Garth Williams, who has illustrated some great books from my childhood.

Grossly overrated!
I am so glad we checked this book out from the library rather than spend money on it. The "poems" are short and stupid; I cannot believe even a 2-year-old would find them funny. If you live in a major North American city, that city's name might appear in a poem and your child might find that neat; other than that, I see nothing here. Beware, if you have sensitive children who watched the WTC tragedy coverage--the last poem (which is the one the book is named for) is illustrated with what appears to be the Twin Towers.

Ride a Purple Pelican
My 2 year old daughter loves the rhymes in this book. They are very simple, and silly which is perfect for age. I love the fact that the author does not hesitate to use longer words and real places (like Saskatoon) in the text to help encourage interest in the world. ... Read more

Amazon.com

How awful is this green-haired, one-eyed ogre? So awful his name isAwful Ogre. Fortunately, he takes some time out of his awfully busy ogreschedule to describe his routine, poem by poem, from the moment his petrattlesnake awakens him to a touching bedtime scene--as rhythmic and tender asGoodnight Moon, but withscorpions and cacti. As it turns out, the ogre has many delightful hobbies, fromdancing ("I dance with abandon, / Bravura, and zest, / I carom off boulders /And beat on my chest") to singing "stirring ogre melodies" to bone collecting toboasting to watching TV. He is particularly proud of his centuries-old garden:

Because of my ramshackle patches
Where scrofulous weeds rule unchecked,
I've earned from the trolls and the goblins
A measure of grudging respect.

Reviews (7)

Fun, Fun, Fun!
What a terrific, fun, lively book! As much fun for me and my husband to read as it is for our son to have it read to him. Even though he is still small, he loves the rhyming cadence of it and the pictures. A nice change from Dr. Seuss - I just love Awful Ogre! Especially when he dances...or courts a grrrrl...or goes out to dinner...

This book would be a terrific addition to any childs library.

Truly a Dream Team!
Fans of Prelutsky and fans of Zelinsky, rejoice! This devoutly-to-be-wished combination comes off just as well as you might imagine. It really does present a day in the life of a one-eyed ogre in poems and pictures. And by all means, read it out loud! It's so much more fun that way. My favorite -- "When elves and gnomes encounter me, / They often shriek, 'Grotesque!' / I bow with magnanimity / And murmur, 'Statuesque!' " And the pictures! There are a lot of things going on in the four-color pictures. And kids will have fun finding them all! Some of the language is hilariously gross and disgusting -- and not for the squeamish! Prelutsky obviously has always loved the sound of words -- and big ones, at that. And as always, he doesn't write DOWN to kids. There is a glorious perfection in his rhythms. Kids will love to grimace and wince along with the gory subject matter. This book is so much fun!

An Awfully Exciting Adventure...
Jack Prelutsky, author of more than 30 artistic creations, takes the reader on a journey through the daily rituals of an ogre's pleasantly gross life. Prelutsky describes all of the ogre's activities from sunrise, when his pet rattlesnake wakes him, until late into the night, when he has a nightmare about a beautifully tranquil place. Using fabulous double-page spreads, Zelinsky illustrates how the ogre enjoys a violent storm, tends to his garden of carnivorous roses and overblown mold and takes supper at a local restaurant where his titanic appetite is satisfied with triple helpings of everything (including the silverware, plates and tablecloth). The 18 rhythmic and witty verses are brought to life with remarkable detail using watercolor and pen and ink. This combination of gruesome humor, along with the realistic snapshots of the ogre's life, will provide many hours of entertainment and enjoyment to all those who are ready to experience the adventure. Everyone will fall in love with this oversized and grotesque, but playful, ogre as they scour each marvelous and explosive work of art! (Ages 6 and older)

I love this book!!!!!!
This book is the best book I've ever read! I love the colorful illustrations. I can't believe how good this book was. I don't read picture books most of the time but this one is unusually outstanding! The pictures are amazingly superb! I would give this book 10 stars, if I could.

Expand Child's Vocabulary
This book has great illustrations, like the skunk in the Ogre's nose which captivated my 2 and 5 year old children. Even better however, it has the vocabulary to expand and challenge young minds. A great choice. ... Read more

Amazon.com

We've fallen in love with this book. We couldn't help it! The inimitable children's poet Jack Prelutsky and illustrator James Stevenson have won our hearts with such extravagant creatures as the Quossible ("its habits are impossible,/its temper is irascible,/its manners are not passable") and the Sneezysnoozer who sneezes "in a dozen sneezy sizes,/it sneezes little breezes/and it sneezes big surprises/and it sneezes teeny wheezes,/so it easily amuses,/when the Sneezysnoozer sneezes/as the Sneezysnoozer chooses." We can't resist the Sneepies who lie in a heap or the Smasheroo who "broke a batch of bottles/into bits as big as beans,/and shattered stacks of saucers/into scads of smithereens." Stevenson, who teamed up with Prelutsky for the magnificent The New Kid on the Block and other books, delightfully depicts these deliciously absurd creatures in comical, lively pen-and-ink drawings. A starred review in School Library Journal calls this book "exuberant," and Horn Book calls it "splendid." We call it a book that no child should have to live without. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

College student
This is a collection of twelve poems.The humorous poems are about creatures that are strange.There was a creature that gobbled up items in a classroom, including the teacher!One was a Dreary Dreeze, and this one needed to not squeeze anyone.The Grubby Greebles chewed gravel as they traveled.The Slithery Slitch, who was rich, rode in a limousine.
This was a funny book.I especially enjoyed the one about the creature eating the teacher.The illustrations complimented the poetry well.This book will help to make poetry fun!

Ugg indeed...
A nonsense book of poems about imaginary monsters and the lives they lead.This work carries the distinction of marking the first time James Stevenson (the illustrator) worked with the ever popular Jack Prelutsky. A word of advice:Do not read any Shel Silverstein books prior to this work.Anything after "A Light In the Attic" is bound to feel a little paltry.While the similarities between the two books is striking, "Baby Uggs" is less impressive.Nonetheless, there's a great deal of creativity going on here.Prelutsky has fun with words and sounds and even becomes a bit risqué at points.Because the text is so short, this book will work as an introduction for toddlers to the world of poetry. ... Read more

Book Description

Monday's troll is mean and rotten,
Tuesday's troll is misbegotten...

As for Wednesday's troll--and all the others--as soon as you read about them, they will be in your head (and heart) forever.

Once again the collaborators of The Dragons Are Singing Tonight have combined their extraordinary talents to concoct an irresistible collection of trolls, wizards, witches, giants, ogres (and a solitary yeti). No spell is needed for these poems and pictures to enchant the reader. Just open the book!

Reviews (2)

Expected better.
Not what we expected, a few were good. Most could not hold my toddlers attention, & he loves me to read to him. We have other titles by Jack Prelutsky that he adores, this one will stay on the shelf or be given away.

Clever poems and great imagery
This book was wonderful, my kids loved it. The poems are wonderfully clever and smart, and the pictures are great. Even my 4 year old loved it. I highly recommend it for all ages! ... Read more