The New Kid on the Block [Hardcover]

Jack Prelutsky (Author), James Stevenson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Open this book to any page to begin your exploration. Here are poems about things that you may never have thought about before. You'll be introduced to jellyfish stew, a bouncing mouse, a ridiculous dog, and a boneless chicken. You'll learn why you shouldn't argue with a shark, eat a dinosaur, or have an alligator for a pet. You'll meet the world's worst singer and the greatest video game player in history. You'll even find an invitation to a dragon's birthday party....Your friends are invited too.

Over 100 hilarious poems about strange creatures and people--from jellyfish stew to a bouncing mouse, and a boneless chicken. "The illustrations bring the frivolity to a fever pitch."--School Library Journal. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This exuberant valise of verse bulges with more than 100 poems about things you've never thought about, such as Underwater Wibbles who dine exclusively on cheese, and things you probably have thought about, such as sneezing oysters and the dot-gobbling Flotz. Jack Prelutsky, one of the premier children's poets of our time, manages to be deadpan and goofy simultaneously and in perfect rhythm right up to the pleasantly unpredictable punch lines of his poems.

Take "Jellyfish Stew." "You're soggy, you're smelly, / you taste like shampoo, / you bog down my belly / with oodles of goo, / yet I would glue noodles / and prunes to my shoe, / for one oozy spoonful / of jellyfish stew." Poems about greedy grannies, exploding Bloders, and hypothetical situations such as having your nose unfortunately situated between your toes are guaranteed to delight you and your favorite kids. Quirky, surprising, and always delightful, Prelutsky's poems make us wish we'd grown up with his books in hand. Illustrator James Stevenson's loose pen-and-ink sketches are lively and fluid, waltzing along perfectly with Prelutsky's playful poetry. Once you and your children have howled your way through this ALA Notable Book, you'll be happy to discover that this talented pair has created two other meaty collections, including Something BIG Has Been Here and A Pizza the Size of the Sun. (Ages 4 to 12)

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-8AJack Prelutsky's popular book and recording is now available on compact disc. This new format includes five poem/songs from the book not found on the cassette version: "The Carpenter Rages," "Drumpp the Grump," "Oh, Teddy Bear," "I've Got an Incredible Headache," and "Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon." These new pieces feature guitar, banjo, and fiddle playing behind Prelutsky's fun vocal antics. Add this one to your CD collection.ARob Reid, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire/Eau Claire Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (August 20, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688022715
• ISBN-13: 978-0688022716
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Humorous

More About the Author

Jack Prelutsky has filled more than fifty books of verse with his inventive wordplay, including the national bestsellers The Wizard, Scranimals, and The New Kid on the Block. He is also the author of Be Glad Your Nose is on your Face, a collection of his most celebrated verses. He was named the nation's first Children's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. Jack Prelutsky lives in Washington State.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Ever!, March 20, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The New Kid on the Block (Hardcover)

The book I read was "The New Kid on the Block.It is the the best poem book ever.The best poem in the book is "The New Kid on the Block".It is the best poem in the book because it is funny and exciting.And it has a funny ending.

You should buy "The New Kid on the Block".Because it has lots of funny words and weard ones.You would like the pictures too.You would laugh so hard your toung will fall out!And it will laugh with you.So buy this book today!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still makes me Giggle, October 26, 2001

By 

Victoria Bishop (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Kid on the Block: Poems (Paperback)

I read this book when it was first published and I was 10 years old. I remember being the first to check it out of our public library when it arrived, and I read and reread it. I still have several of the poems memorized, 'Homework' being my all-time favourite, and I hope I never grow old enough to stop laughing at these worderful, imaginative poems that have brought many smiles to my family.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Report on The New Kid on the Block, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Kid on the Block (Library Binding)

Hi there! I am a 7th grader from Eleva-Strum.I will be telling you some things I like about this book.I like poetry and write poetry. The fun thing about it is sometimes having to rhyme, and just seeing what you can come up with about yourself or whatever else.Also you can make up your own words.One of the poems that I really liked is The New kid on the Block. It sounds like the new kid is a boy, but it's really a girl.I also like how Jack Prelutsky describes her when he writes "that new kid's twice my size." I hope that other people read this and think and say things like me. Thank you for reading my review.