Poetry Friday--Jack Prelutsky

The U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky, recently released a new book called Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem [J 811.54 PRE]. For kids and other people with an interest in writing poems, this is a good place to start. Prelutsky says,

Don't ask me about dactyls, quatrains, or iambic pentameter. There are many fine books that describe poetic forms, meters, and structures. In this book I'm letting you peek into my mind and see how I use my imagination to turn ideas into poems.

For any reader, Prelutsky's playfulness with subjects and language comes through, making the writing of a poem seem like the most natural thing in the world!

Here's part of "My Pig Put on a Bathing Suit," one of the poems he uses to explain how he writes:

My pig put on a bathing suit
and headed for the shore,
then sat beneath the blazing sun
from ten to ten to four.

Prelutsky has published dozens of books of children's poetry, many of which we have here at the library. They cover a broad range of topics including dragons--The Dragons are Singing Tonight [J 811 PRE], holidays--It's Halloween, It's Thanksgiving, etc. [all E PRE], and imaginary creatures--Scranimals [J 811.54 PRE].

To learn more about Jack Prelutsky, PBS's Online NewsHour's Poetry Series, has information and links to videos of Prelutsky interviews and performances.

Just take a look at the cover of Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry--doesn't poetry look like fun?