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

Amazon.com

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

Although I'm Not Going to Get Up Today! is aimed at young readers, it just gets better as you get older. Only after you've weathered more than few world-weary years can you fully appreciate this book's profound and universal message: "The alarm can ring. The birds can peep. My bed is warm. My pillow's deep. Today's the day I'm going to sleep!" But the rhyming words of Dr. Seuss and goofy illustrations from James Stevenson will surely get more than a few giggles from the old and the young, as everyone in town--from brothers and sisters to the police and the Marines--conspires to get our little hero out of bed.But, as the sleepy boy says, "nobody's going to get me up, no matter what he does." (Not with tickling nor shaking nor cold water on the head.) "Nothing's going to get me up. Why can't you understand! You'll only waste your money if you hire a big brass band." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Lesson Sometimes Missed
As a middle school social studies teacher, I was given the challenge to teach a lesson using a picture book. During my search for the perfect history related picture book, I came across this book instead. The lesson I found in it was one perfect for the first day of class. While the synopsis tells the story of a boy who does not want to get up, I feel it is the last two pages that are most important. In these pages, since the boy will not get out of bed, the mother gives his breakfast to someone else. The lesson I pass on to my students is that I will do everything in my power to help them learn. I will bring in marching bands if that will help, but I can not force them. They must get up and reach for what they want (ie do homework and study) or someone else will get the reward (an A). Please buy this book for your children (young and old) with the lesson that they have the option of being lazy, but they just might miss out on something they want or need.

Dr. Seuss hits rock bottom
My wife and I finally stored this book away, because there is nothing redeeming about the message, and it's not particularly creative in any respect either. The book dwells on a boy's obstinance/refusal to get out of bed for an entire day...what a wonderful thought to put in the head of our children. The kid refuses entreaties from his mother and even the police to get out of bed and go to school, and in the end, they just let the kid stay in bed and sleep. So...the message for my 2 year old is: defy your parents long enough, engage in anti-social behavior, and they will give in and let you have your way. I still have to wonder whether Dr. Seuss actually wrote this one. It's just horrid, and the rhymes are like a 6th grader's first attempt at poetry. Blech!

I am not going to get up today
I am not going to get up today is an exciting, silly story. It is about a boy who doesn't want to get up for school, and he swears that nothing in your wildest imagination will get him up. Seuss, the author, has some crazy ideas as to what would normally wake people up, but in this case, nothing will make this imaginative child get out of bed.

This is a MUST HAVE
There's got to be a starting point to reading with your child and this should be the place. All my kids loved this book, it has humor they instantly identify with and are always entertained by. They never get bored with this one.

Book Review
This book uses very good discriptions, it also rymes and the illistrations go along with the the words good. It makes you keep reading and reading because the words are discriptive. I would suggest this book to all kids. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

loved it
We brought this book home three days ago, and our two year old has asked to have it read to him (or recited by memory as he's going to sleep) at least 30 times. And believe it or not, I'm not tired of it. When Mary Ann and Louie can't fall asleep, Grandpa tells them a tale of his exciting adventures when he couldn't sleep as a boy -- one that surprisingly put them to sleep (and also works on my son). Features sharks, polar bears, walruses, dragons, crocodiles, running uphill, swimming the ocean, and flying via hurricane. One of the best children's books I've ever read (and reread and reread and reread and reread). ... Read more

Book Description

One day, while holding her treasured baseball mitt, Kate makes a wish. And poof!— she turns into a princess in a fairy tale. But being a princess isn't at all what Kate imagined. Before long, she's fighting off dragons, entertaining witches, and teaching the ladies-in-waiting how to play baseball.With Kate around, fairy tale land will never be the same again! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A BEAUTY OF A BOOK
She's adorable; she's audacious; she's fairy-tale-loving, tomboy Kate in Pulitzer Prize winning Anna Quindlen's Happily Ever After, illus. by James Stevenson.

When Kate's wish to be a princess comes true, she straightens up a kingdom by popping the black knight with a chamber pot and teaching the Serving Maids how to play baseball.

Undaunted by a dragon, she reminds us that living happily ever after is being who we are.

And You Thought She was a Normal Girl
I loved Happily Ever After. I think that Kate spoke very differently from the people in the story and she taught them a lot.

A Great Fairy Tale for Girls
I love this book and have read it more than 10 times. One reason I like this book is because the main character, Kate, has mixed interests. She's a good athlete, and a tomboy, but also likes fairy tales. She's a real girl and not a goody two-shoes. The plot has lots of twists but is fun to follow. Kate is funny and shows the medieval court subjects that girls can be more than princesses. Every time I read this book, I feel like I am in the story, watching Kate. This book is like eating my favorite dessert and I love it! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

"Unexcitable Gramps surprises everyone with a whopping tale of derring-do that proves there's life in the old boy yet. Stevenson's watercolors couldn't be better."--School Library Journal. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Must Have Book
I loved this book as a first grader and still do 26 years later. I could relate to the grandpa in the story - he seemed identical to mine. I enjoyed Stevenson's imagination and creativity and still appreciate the life message "could be worse" as an adult. Having read this book helped me through some of life's greatest challenges knowing that no matter how bad things seem, it truly COULD BE WORSE!!! They're words to live by! I now share this book with my first graders. It truly inspires their own creativity and opens up their minds. They too have learned that things could always be worse!

All time favorite
This book and "The Giving Tree" have always been 2 of my favorite children's books. The thing that makes them great is that the stories teach you valuable lessons at a very young age, that you never forget. I read this book in elementary school, and now at the age of 25 still think of it when things get bad, cuz they could ALWAYS be worse!!! My mom and I still refer to this book to this day, and now I'm buying it for my 5 year old nephew! I just hope he appreciates it as much as I do!!!

Could Be Worse
As a child, this was one of my favorite books. As an adult, working in a daycare, I became frustrated with the books available to me and the lack of imagination I saw in many of the children. I found a copy of this book in the library and began reading it to the children daily. It was not only an instant hit but in no time I began to hear stories from them of wild dreams and exciting fanticies. They were just as inspired as I had been at their age. This is truly a timeless and imaginative story with the unique ability to teach both optimism and creativity.

This is a book I HIGHLY recommend
This book was read to me in High School by a classmate and I have never forgotten this book. I have searched every where for it, since that day it was read and I have finally found it! (5 years later!) This is a GREAT book!

Old fave.
This book has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember. My Dad read it to me when I was younger, and whenever I read it now, it takes me back to my youth. Stevenson is a real master at unifying his words and illustrations. It's almost a whimsical book, but doesn't suffer from the treacly sweetness that bogs down so many childrens books. I can't think of another childrens book I like better. Unless it's one of Stevenson's other books, such as The Seaside Hotel. The guy's brilliant. ... Read more

Book Description

Lemonade stands, bike rides, treehouses--moments as simple and magical as sweet corn in summer. James Stevenson--poet, author, artist, actor, and much more--captures these precious "snapshots" of life in this delightful poetry collection. Twenty-eight poems, combined with soft, colorful illustrations, will bring smiles, laughs, and memories of special times experienced by every child. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Quirky Corn
TEXT SUMMARY= James Stevenson has united in this volume a variety of short poems that range from ryhming, to free verse, and always include a twist of one kind or another.

VISUAL SUMMARY= The poems are accompanied by small watercolour and black pen sketches, or laid out in different patterns and orientations in ways that relate to the poem's subject.Varying the text size and font as well create visual images simply with just the words.

CRITIQUE=While not as popular as the rhyme and simple humour of Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein, Stevenson's own work is something innovative and new, introducing children to non-rhyming free-verse.Although the humour is not the type that makes you crack out laughing, with a little extra thinking, it will definitely make you smile.The layout of the book is simple and consistant, with page numbers and titles at the top, and then the poem spread over the page or mixed with illustrations.Overall, the book seems to be a nice hidden gem filled with amusing quirks. ... Read more

Book Description

Some people collect stamps. Other people collect coins. Carol Otis Hurst's father collected rocks. Nobody ever thought his obsession would amount to anything. They said, "You've got rocks in your head" and "There's no money in rocks." But year after year he kept on collecting, trading, displaying, and labeling his rocks. The Depression forced the family to sell their gas station and their house, but his interest in rocks never wavered. And in the end the science museum he had visited so often realized that a person with rocks in his head was just what was needed.

Anyone who has ever felt a little out of step with the world will identify with this true story of a man who followed his heart and his passion.

Reviews (5)

Historical story
This book tells the life story of the narrator's father, a self-educated man who managed to become museum curator due to his passion for rocks. When the narrator's father was a young boy, he collected rocks everywhere he went. When he grew up, he ran a gas station and kept his rocks on shelves for customers to look at. The gas station went under during the Depression. After hunting around, the man eventually stumbled into a job as a night janitor at the Museum of Science. He was quite happy with this job because he got to polish the rocks in the exhibits. Eventually he was even promoted to the position of curator of the museum because of his expertise with the rocks, even though he lacked a college education. The story is quite appealing for older kids. With 1250 words, it may be a bit long for the young ones.

Wonderful Book
My children , ages 8 and 6, love this book. I like the message of following your dreams and passions through hard times and no matter what other people may say. We also used the book to discuss the Great Depression and rocks and minerals. I highly recommend this book!!.

Do what you do best
I just discovered this book. This is the perfect book for a child who likes to pick up rocks, or even who likes to collect just about anything. The drawings are about as charming as any book I ever saw. I love the themes of having a passion and educating yourself about what interests you, but also the excitement of being "discovered" for what you are best at. And when you least expect it. A fabulous book.

Don't Be Afraid to Follow Your Dream.....
"Some people collect stamps. Some people collect coins or dolls or bottle caps. When he was a boy, my father collected rocks. When he wasn't doing chores at home or learning at school, he'd walk along stone walls and around old quarries, looking for rocks. People said he had rocks in his pockets and rocks in his head. He didn't mind. It was usually true." So begins Carol Otis Hurst's inspiring biography of her father and his lifelong passion for rocks and minerals. In simple and gentle prose, we follow the story of his life, how he grew up and married, opened a successful filling station, lost his business during the depression, and finally while looking for odd jobs and work met Grace Johnson, the Director of the Science Museum. Ms Johnson was so impressed with his knowledge, dedication, and love of rocks that she to gave him a steady job as night janitor at the museum so that he could work around rocks, and that as they say, was just the beginning..... Ms Hurst's fascinating story is beautifully enhanced by James Stevenson's spare and touching pen and ink illustrations, done in quiet earth tones, that really capture the life and times of this very endearing man. With an afterword to complete her uplifting story on the jacket flap, Rocks In His Head is an engaging and nostalgic little treasure that's perfect for youngsters 5-9, and is told with great insight and affection. Never be afraid to follow your dream!

The Triumph of the Amateur
An amateur is someone who does something for the love of it and the main character of Carol Otis Hurst's wonderful, beautiful Rocks in his Head is the epitome of an amateur. In this well illustrated story, Ms. Hurst recounts the story of her father, a rockhound who was dissuaded from making a career of his first love. We follow him through his life from successful gas station owner to family man struggling to make ends meet during the Depression, all the while lovingly collecting, cataloguing, and caring for an ever expanding rock and mineral collection. The payoff comes when her dad gets a job at the local science museum after the director notices his interest in minerals and then views his personal collection. The father goes on to become the curator of the museum's mineral collection. James Stevenson's illustrations perfectly compliment this story of a triumphant amateur. Children's books with true stories like this one usually have a summary page after the end of the story to give details left out of the main book. Unfortunately, details like the father being sent to college by the director and his eventual rise to director of the museum are left for the dust jacket, a part of a children's book that is often lost. Other than this minor criticism, I think this is a 5-star book and wish there were many more like this. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

Going off to the countryside to visit a relative you've never seenbefore can be a daunting prospect, especially for a little city girl likeJanetta. The last place she wants to be is at her grandaddy's rickety farmhousewith its bare dirt yard and mean-looking animals everywhere. But as Janetta soonlearns, how you feel about the world depends on how you look at things. What atfirst seems strange and frightening becomes wondrous when filtered through theprism of Grandaddy's wry humor. No matter what the situation, Grandaddy has somedelightful tall tale to offer, whether he's talking about worms or dancinginsects. It's soon obvious that, like the stars in the sky, Grandaddy andJanetta belong together.

Previously published separately, these three delightful stories about a strongand loving connection between the generations are now brought together in onechapter book. As their relationship unfolds, it's clear that Grandaddy hasbecome the rock that Janetta, who appears to have no father, can always counton. His wise observations help her sort through the unsettling emotionalquestions all young children face--am I loved, who can I count on, what if myworld changes? Whatever Janetta most needs--whether it be a kitten to love, anaffirmation of her singular talents, or a good laugh--Grandaddy magicallyprovides. Readers will find the expressive original illustrations by renownedartist James Stevenson reproduced in black and white. Overall, this earlychapter book is an affecting, soul-satisfying story collection about thesteadfastness of love. (Ages 4 to 8) --Marianne Painter ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A sweet and satisfying read
Janetta, a city girl, is not certain that she will like visiting her grandfather in rural Georgia. She's never been in the country before and everything--including the mule--frightens her. Grandaddy, however, is a gentle man wise to feelings and needs of little girls. He soon puts her at ease by telling outrageous tall tales. Their relationship grows closer throughout a series of visits.

This is a remarkably sweet--but never cloying--book. The book is a reprint of three previously published books, but the stories flow together so well that it seems as though they were originally designed to be one book. The chapters are short enough and contain enough pictures to encourage beginning chapter book readers. The characters are engaging and the stories are funny and frequently touching. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is James Stevenson's follow-up to his popular poetry collection, Sweet Corn, which School Library Journal labeled in a starred review "A book to savor." Inside this volume are poems to make you laugh and poems to make you dream...and wonder ...and think. Some are exuberant and some are quirky and some are sad, but each and every one will leave you hungry for more. So open the book, dig in-and enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Popcorn Fun!
I thought that this book of poems was great! The poems werereally interesting and could be really useful in a classroom. It is areally good way to get children interested in the poetry genre. It isrelatively inexspensive and I would recommend that every teacher buy this book for their class. ... Read more

Book Description

If you are lucky you know someone like the elderly lady in this book. Whenever she sees you--coming home from school, trick-or-treating at Halloween, or walking with your dog in the wood--she makes you feel special. She is someone you admire. She is someone you love.

Book Description

Anne has never met anyone like Mrs. Simpson. She travels in a wheelchair and performs fabulous yo-yo tricks. Anne thinks Mrs. Simpson is magnificent--and young readers will readily agree. "Both funny and touching....A lively story and at the same time one of the best books about old age for a young child."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A heartwarming story
This book tells the heartwarming and humorous tale of the relationship of Anne, a little girl, and Mrs. Simpson, an ecentric old woman. They develop a fast friendship and spend all of June and July playing together. Anne is inspired by Mrs. Simpson's yo-yo ability. She can do many tricks including the Loop to Loop, so Anne decides to secretly learn how to yo-yo in order to impress her friend. One day Mrs. Simpson breaks her hip, which results in a change in their relationship and also in the exchange of their most precious belongings. The illustrations are colorful but simple and take a backseat to the story, as they should in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Granpa and hockey
This is a comforting book about the warm relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, and sharing the love of hockey. The author manages to capture the exhilirating sights and sounds at a hockey game soaccurately and the emotions of Matt and his grandad so vividly. Togetherwith the whimsical drawings and colours, it all adds up to a delightfulbook that we all enjoy. ... Read more