Shannon's Review - Beneath A Blue Umbrella by Jack Prelutsky

Title: Beneath A Blue Umbrella

Series: N/A

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Genre: Children’s Poetry

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Received: Swap site

Release Date: April 1990

Pages: 64

Rating:

Author’s Websites:

http://www.jackprelutsky.com/

Shannon Thoughts:

Jack Prelutsky is king of children’s poetry that rhymes. The poetry is nicely paired with Garth Williams illustrations of young kids, animals and whatever else is described.

The poetry is really adorable the rhyming of each poem just flows together as if the words were just meant to shine together.

The first couple of poems are cute and somewhere in the middle of the book they become less imaginative and exciting.

I think children will appreciate the poems and there rhymes. I prefer the poetry about fantasy animals like dragons which were featured in another book of poems by Prelutsky called The Dragons Are Singing Tonight.

Review - The Dragons Are Singing Tonight

Summary: A book full of lyrical poetry about dragons, with art.

My Thoughts: I saw this book at the PA Renaissance Faire on Sunday and picked it up because I love dragons. I collect dragon statues, have honestly not read many dragon stories, but I was pleasantly surprised with this book full of rhyming poetry. The woman at the Faire’s “Scriptorium” (book store) said her favorite poem was called Nasty Little DragonSong, and that is definitely up there with some of my favorites too. It is hard to choose but I think my favorite is this one.

Once They All Believed In Dragons

Once they all believed in dragons

When the world was fresh and young,

We were woven into legends,

Tales were told and songs were sung,

We were treated with obeisance,

We were honored, we were feared,

Then one day they stopped believing –

On that day, we disappeared.

Now they say our time is over,

Now they say we’ve lived our last,

Now we’re treated with derision

Where we once ruled unsurpassed.

We must make them all remember

In some way we must reveal

That our spirit lives forever -

We are Dragons! We are real!

About the Author: Jack Prelutsky has written many poetry books for children. He lives in Seattle with his wife.