The Twentieth Century Children's Poetry Treasury

Module 4

Prelutsky, Jack. 1999. The twentieth century children's poetry treasury. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This highly enjoyable children's anthology pulls together works by 137 poets. Each decade of the 1900s are represented with poems which celebrate the wonder of childhood. The delightful watercolor illustrations by Meilo So add a visula treat which complements the poetry. Prelutsky has selected the best of of the best for this work and has even included some of his own work. One funny rhyming poem called Tutti Frutti Lovesong by will tickle any childs' funny bone with these lines:"Don't make me MELON-choly, Please by my HONEY DEW, 'Cause oh, my sweet PAPAYA, I'm BANANAS over you! The poem is wondrously illustrated with a face made up of the fruits mentioned in the poem, which makes it even more hilarious. Other poems celebrate nature and even make mundane topics like homework and sleeping seem special. Just for fun poems like Eletelephony will create delight with words like "Once there was an elephant, who tried to use the telephant -- No! No! I mean an elephone." This is a great collection to keep on hand for reading aloud in classrooms or at home. It is recommended for ages 4-8.