Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 3-5. Poetry becomes interactive in this attractive picture-book anthology, put together by the popular Prelutsky. The oversize format allows room for several poems on each spread, with each group of poems centered on a particular theme: snow, bugs, birthdays, different animals. The poems, from a variety of writers, are short and pithy, and they pave the way for the poemstart on each spread: Prelutsky starts a poem on the topic and invites readers to finish it. Accompanying each poemstart are some suggestions for writing poetry or a biographical anecdote. The watercolor artwork that enlivens each spread is deliciously varied: big and small dogs; a giant foot in a sneaker scattering bugs out of the way; a snowball fight, part of a whirling, snowy scene. This is a well-conceived package that will be especially useful in classrooms. A thoughtful introductory note beginning READ THIS NOW! reminds kids not to write in the book. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Prelutsky's (It's Raining Pigs and Noodles) latest poetry anthology (which includes a couple of his own pieces) encourages youngsters to try their hand at the art of verse, offering them a boost with his "poemstarts" (a concept he has used successfully on the Web, according to his opening letter to readers). On each spread, he presents three poems and one "poemstart," covering one of 10 topics, from dogs and birthdays to friendship and feelings. The "food poemstart," for instance, begins, "I'm hungry, so I think that I/ Will have a piece of penguin pie./ When that is finished, I will eat/ A _________." Backed by a block of bright color in the upper right corner of every spread, the poemstarts also build in a list of rhyming words or helpful hints to get writers going, (e.g., "Just imagine all the ridiculous things you might eat that rhyme with the word "eat"). So's (Hurry and the Monarch) lively watercolors light up the pages with their whimsy and vividness. For the turtle theme, the artist riffs on Douglas Florian's poem ("This bony dome's/ My mobile home"): several critters crawl across the pages, each supporting a teepee or igloo on its back. With poems from the likes of Aileen Fisher, Ogden Nash and Dr. Seuss, and some pragmatic advice ("Don't worry too much about making the poem rhyme-it's more important to express your feelings"), Prelutsky's poetry primer will have children eager to play with words. Ages 5-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Prelutsky designed this collection to jumpstart children's creative juices. Three short poems were chosen for each theme: dogs, food, birthdays, bugs, cows, friends, snow, turtles, rain, and self. He also includes a "poemstart": an unfinished verse, along with advice and lists of rhyming words, so that readers can complete the poem on their own. The compiler displays a fine sense for lighthearted, kid-friendly poetry; highlights include Alice Schertle's "Moo," Myra Cohn Livingston's "Birthday," and Karla Kuskin's "Running Away." Readers will be drawn to the book's attractive design; So's watercolor-and-ink illustrations add playfully jumbled perspectives. This title is aimed at a younger audience than most poetry/creative writing guides; Janet S. Wong's You Have to Write (S & S, 2002) is for older primary-grade students. Both books are notable for their direct, practical approach and will be valued by teachers and young writers.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A collection of poems on ten different topics (dogs, birthdays, etc.) invites kids to versify--with a little help. Penned by different writers, three poems on each subject appear with a ""poemstart"" by Prelutsky--two to seven rhyming lines to be completed by the reader--and hints on how to do it. Lighthearted illustrations complement this engaging (though workbook-like) volume. Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
