Poet Jack Prelutsky: Writing About the Little Things in Life

Jack Prelutsky

That's Not the Least Afraid
To Forage In the Broiling Sun
For it is in the Shade.

Is probably unique.
It ends in an umbrella
That has yet to spring a leak.

And so the bold umbrellaphant
Is ever at its ease
No matter if the temperature
Is ninety-nine degrees.

And when a sudden thunderstorm
Sends oceans from the sky
That fortunate umbrellaphant
Remains entirely dry.

Jack Prelutsky says children like his poems because he writes about things they care about. Poetry experts say Jack Prelutsky's poems recognize children's feelings.  An example of this is the poem "My Sister is a Werewolf" which is about how it feels to be different.

The moon is full and bright.
And we shall see what can't be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns we haunt the street,
And knock on doors for trick or treat.
Tonight we are the king and queen
For oh tonight it's Halloween.

(MUSIC)

Mindy Smith