Although young readers may not know much about poetic elements - meter, figurative language and concise format - they certainly do know the name of Jack Prelutsky, who utilizes these elements in his humorous popular verses.
One of the promotion statements of his more than 30 poetry anthologies says "no one is too young to enjoy Jack Prelutsky!" On the other hand, no one is too old either. There never has been an audience that hasn't enjoyed the witty rhymes, the cryptic words and nonsensical characters.Three of Prelutsky's recent poetry books are rib-tickling additions that will be enjoyed by many ages:
SOMETHING BIG HAS BEEN HERE. (Greenwillow, 1990, $14.95) follows the format of "The New Kid On the Block" (an American Library Association Notable Book in 1984): a verse on each page or two with black-and-white drawings by James Stevenson.
The first poem is the impetus for the book's title and suggests "something" that leaves behind footprints " . . . size nine-fifty-six." It also sets the mood of what Prelutsky seeks when writing the pieces: "what children find funny of what they find scary."
Sometimes funny and scary is like the robot that brother built that couldn't be disconnected and ultimately "picked us up and dropped us in an empty garbage pail." It may also be the alligator shoes that Kay wore that were really alive.
Prelutsky's unexpected topics and the unusual outcomes of the characters are other reasons it's fun to read the poetry. Who ever heard of a ghost who lost his boo, or an auk that walks "awkwardly!" The turkey shooting out of the oven because it has been stuffed with popcorn that hasn't been popped and the hippopotamus who forgot to take a bath ("Disgraceful!" gabbed the gibbons . . . "Barbaric!" boomed a bear . . . "Repellant!" puled a puma . . . "Bizzare!" a badger bawled . . . are examples of the animals that make us laugh. Combine those with Captain Conniption, Wilhelmina Wafflewitz, Sir Bottomwide, the disputatious deeble and the wumpaloons and you have a lineup of characters that surpasses Dr. Seuss in invention and humor.
Prelutsky uses language to its fullest with alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia - all the sounds of language that make it a delight to read and hear.
His "I Am Growing a Glorious Garden" is blossoming with musical instruments such as "resplendent trumpets and flutes . . . staid oboes in orderly rows . . . gongs and guitars in abundance . . . banjos that branch by the bugles and . . . violins high on the vine."
The puns and play on words are another part of Prelutsky's fun. For example, Rhododendra Rosenbloom buys perfumes galore " . . . 10 kinds of fine perfume, she could not have purchased more - it was just a 10 scent store!"
In "I Wave Goodbye When Butter Flies" homographs (words spelled the same but with different meanings) make up the format:
"I wave goodbye when butter flies
and cheer a boxing match,
I've often watched my pillow fight,
I've sewn a cabbage patch . . .
I've listened to a diamond ring,
I've waved a football fan,
and if a chimney sweeps the floor,
I'm sure the garbage can."
Happy readers will delight with "Something Big Has Been Here" and unhappy ones will find ample use for:
"You're nasty and you're loud,
You're mean enough for two.
If I could be a cloud,
I'd rain all day on you."
Prelutsky has teamed again with Garth Williams (illustrator for "Charlotte's Web") on BENEATH A BLUE UMBRELLA. (Greenwillow, 1990. $15.95)
This is very similar to "Ride a Purple Pelican," yet this book of rhymes incorporates American place-names (even Salt Lake City!) in rousing rhythmic patterns. Very likely these companion volumes will be classified as American Nursery Rhymes.
POEMS OF A. NONNY MOUSE (Knopf, 1989. $12.95) combines the wackiest of Prelutsky poetry and others selected by the poet with the absurd drawings of Henrik Drescher. The garish color and outlandish characters will appeal to some readers while others will be turned off by a crocodile that swallows a snake that is eating the crocodile, and on-and-on.
What is unique about this collection is the source, which "due to an unfortunate typographical error, the delightful poems of A. Nonny Mouse have for years been attributed to a certain Anonymous."
Prelutsky's poetry needs to be heard, again and again.
- LOCAL CELEBRATION - Hogle Zoo and Frost's Bookstore will collaborate in celebrating "Something Big Has Been Here" on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 10:30 a.m.
Children participating in the "Show 'n' Tale" fun should make reservations in advance (call 582-8428) because the zoo needs to know how many will be showing up for the treats. Everyone is welcome to meet at the Zoo Fort for an hour of sharing poetry. The secret will be told of why "the zoo was in an uproar . . . "