The Random House Book of Poetry for Children: A Treasury of 572 Poems for Today's Child by Jack Prelutsky, Arnold Lobel (Illustrator), Jack Prelutsky (Selected by)

Synopsis

This deceptively slender volume contains a treasure-trove of poems. Each page is crammed with verse and illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Arnold Lobel. Everyone's favorite poems are complemented by fresh new voices and organized into such unusual themes as food, the city, spooky poems, and word play.

Annotation

This deceptively slender volume contains a treasure-trove of poems. Each page is crammed with verse and illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Arnold Lobel. EveryoneÆs favorite poems are complemented by fresh new voices and organized into such unusual themes as food, the city, spooky poems, and word play.

Children's Literature

Prelutsky is one of the most trusted names in children's poetry. During the school year he probably gets a hundred letters a week from kids. Kids know that Prelutsky is their friend because he writes about the things they care about-outer space, monsters, dragons, sports, food fights, sibling rivalry, and weird friends. He never condescends. Prelutsky tell things in unique, interesting ways. He's compiled anthologies like this one where he draws on many current writers who he believes are some of the best children's poets who ever lived.

Biography

Jack Prelutsky was born in Brooklyn, New York.  He attended New York City Public Schools and studied voice at the High School of Music and Art.  He enrolled in Hunter College in Manhattan but left soon after "to become a beatnik".  Jack has been a cab driver, a busboy, a photographer, a furniture mover, a potter, and a folk singer.  He enjoys bicycling, playing racquetball, woodworking and cooking.  He lives in Washington State with his wife Carolynn and a vast collection of poetry books and frogs in every shape, size, and form -- except living!  There was a time when Jack couldn't stand poetry.  In grade school he had a teacher who left him with the impression that poetry was the literary equivalent of liver.  He rediscovered poetry in his twenties, and he decided that he would write about things that kids really cared about, and that he would strive to make poetry delightful.  He has been writing poetry for more than twenty years and has published more than three dozen books for children.