Poetry-Review #1-Jack Prelutsky

Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. Scranimals. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0688178197

Plot Summary—

This book, told exclusively through poems, tells the tale of two children’s wondrous journey to Scranimal Island. Here the inhabitants are mixtures of animals and plants or animals and other animals. Creatures such as the Rhinocerose (a rhinoceros and a rose), Spinachickens (spinach and chickens), and Toucanemones (toucans and anemones) are not quickly forgotten. In this imaginary land, the laws of predator and prey still hold true as a pride of Broccolions (broccoli and lions) stalk and subdue an Antelopetunia (antelope and petunia). There are animals to fear, like the dreaded Radishark (a radish and a shark), animals to endear, like the Pandaffodil (a panda and a daffodil), and animals no longer here, like the Avocadodo (an avocado and a dodo).

Critical Analysis—

Prelutsky is a master at rhyme. His poems have a predictable rhythm and meter and this remains true in Scranimals. In the poems, he gives the mixed up animals the traits inherent in each of the separate “parts.” For example, in the poem about the Bananaconda (a banana and an anaconda), he pens, “Oh sleek bananaconda,/ You longest long long fellow,/ How sinuous and sly you are,/ How slippery, how yellow./ You slither on your belly,/ And you slither on your chin./ You’re only unappealing/ As you shed your slinky skin.” Traits of a banana and an anaconda mix into a satisfying picture of this imaginary creature. The rhymes are not forced but flow naturally and effortlessly. In addition, the alliteration of the /s/ words delights the tongue as the poem is read aloud.

Another example of Prelutsky’s mastery of his craft is the poem about the Ostricheetah (an ostrich and a cheetah). Again in perfect rhyme and rhythm, he talks about this creature, attributing the traits of speed and fearfulness into one animal. His use of simple rimes (/-ast/, /-ace/, /-ing/, /-and/) gives a faster tempo to this poem. He writes, “With fur and feathers flying,/ It hurtles on and then,/ Somehow, not even trying,/ Accelerates again./ But when it tires of running,/ It doesn’t simply stand./ Though quick, it’s far from cunning--/ Its head goes in the sand.”

The pictures by Peter Sis are in black line art with watercolor and help to tell the story of this imaginary land. At the beginning, the children are preparing for their journey with their map, red and white life preserver, orange polka-dot umbrella, yellow backpack, and skateboard. In each illustration in the book, they are readily identifiable because of this colorful ensemble. On many pages, they are the most colorful part of the illustration. For each poem, Sis gives the reader visual impressions of the mixed animals. For readers who take time to study the illustrations, the previous mixed up animal and the next mixed up animal are placed discretely in the background of many illustrations.

Review Excerpts—

Publishers Weekly-“Prelutsky tweaks language with his characteristic glee, wedging in plenty of humor ("Poor Avocadodos, Ungainly and green, You're gone from today's Biological scene") and, as always when Sis is on board, his exquisite artistry raises the bar, adding depth to Prelutsky's light verse.”

School Library Journal—“…Prelutsky and Sis have pulled off something great here-it is their best collaboration to date.”

Horn Book—“The verses are peppy, singsongy, and clever. Imaginative and concrete illustrations transform this collection into a unified whole.”

Connections—

*Invite children to create their own mixed up animals and write a poem to go with their creation.

*Read other poem picture books by Jack Prelutsky.

• Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems Ill. by Carin Berger ISBN 0060543183 This one has mixed up animals again. This time they are mixed with household objects instead of other animals and plants.
• Awful Ogre’s Awful Day Ill. by Robert O. Zelinsky ISBN 0060774592
• The Terrible Tiger Ill. by Arnold Lobel ISBN 0689713002

*Read holiday collections of poetry by Jack Prelutsky.

• It’s Thanksgiving Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 0060537116
• It’s Christmas Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 006053706X
• It’s Valentine’s Day Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 0060537124

*Read other collections of poetry by Jack Prelutsky.

• It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0060763906
• The New Kid on the Block Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688022715
• A Pizza the Size of the Sun Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688132359
• Something Big Has Been Here Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688064345