The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom [Hardcover]

The Beauty of the Beast : Poems from the Animal Kingdom is a stunning collection of poems celebrating "the beauty and wonder of the animal kingdom." Poet and anthologist Jack Prelutsky has chosen 200 works by 123 poets from Carl Sandburg to Seamus Heaney, with a tip of the hat to his own "The Multilingual Mynah Bird." Not surprising for someone who grew up near the Bronx Zoo, Prelutsky has arranged the poems into five zoological classifications. The vibrant watercolor illustrations for this book were created by Meilo So, a brilliant Hong Kong-born artist. A welcome anthology for poetry lovers, watercolor enthusiasts, and children's book collectors alike. (Ages 8 and older)

Kindergarten-Grade 5?Beware?this book may let a zoo loose in your library! These poems are alive, from one set of endpapers to the other. Prelutsky has selected a remarkable array of poems full of movement and sound from primarily English and American contemporary writers, proving that he has as good an ear for other poets' work as he does for his own. Each page has several poems and bright watercolors that writhe with texture. From an explosion of insect color to a steady wintery stream of reindeer, Meilo So's illustrations lend a different mood to each spread and bind the selections more securely than paper and thread. Almost overwhelming at times, the pictures force readers to take it slow: this is a collection to savor for years, either as a read-alone or read-aloud. A well-designed, comprehensive, and satisfying book, this is certainly a superlative collection. Of smaller breadth, Ann Carter's Birds Beasts and Fishes (Macmillan, 1991) contains completely different poems in the same style, and complements this one nicely. In sound and sight, this book is a beauty.?Nina Lindsay, Vista School, Albany, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

“Beware–this book may let a zoo loose in your library! These poems are alive, from one set of endpapers to the other. Prelutsky has selected a remarkable array of poems full of movement and sound from primarily English and American contemporary writers, proving that he has as good an ear for other poets’ work as he does for his own. . . . Meilo So’s illustrations lend a different mood to each spread and bind the selections more securely than paper and thread. This is a collection to savor for years. A well-designed, comprehensive, satisfying book, this is certainly a superlative collection.”–School Library Journal, Starred

First published in 1997 and unavailable for three years, this ALA Notable Book of 200 poems for animal lovers is now being reissued with a price lowered from $22.95 to $19.95. Culled by Jack Prelutsky from the works of more than 100 highly acclaimed poets of the twentieth century, here is a poetic parade of the animal kingdom that ranges from the lowly earthworm to the majestic whale and just about every creature in between. Some of the poems are playful and funny; others are insightful and thoughtful--but all are brief and fun to read aloud. Whether by Ogden Nash or Seamus Heaney, William Carlos Williams or Marianne Moore, the striking images of each poem are captured in the deft brushstrokes, sure sense of color, and lyrical compositions of Meilo So, a brilliant young watercolorist. The Beauty of the Beast is a big, joyous book offering lasting value. Altogether, it is a beautiful gift for the whole family to treasure, grow with, and cherish. Complete with author and title indexes.

For 30 years, Jack Prelutsky’s inventive poems have inspired legions of children to fall in love with poetry. His outrageously silly poems have tickled even the most stubborn funny bones, while his darker verses have spooked countless late-night readers. His award-winning books include Tyrannosaurus Was a Beast, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, and The Beauty of the Beast.

While attending a Bronx, New York, grade school, Prelutsky took piano and voice lessons and was a regular in school shows. Surprisingly, Prelutsky developed a healthy dislike for poetry due to a teacher who “left me with the impression that poetry was the literary equivalent of liver. I was told it was good for me, but I wasn’t convinced.”

In his early twenties, Prelutsky spent six months drawing imaginary animals in ink and watercolor. One evening, he wrote two dozen short poetry verses to accompany each drawing. A friend encouraged him to show them to an editor, who loved his poems (although not his artwork!) and urged him to keep writing. Prelutsky listened and he is still busy writing.
Jack Prelutsky lives on Mercer Island in Washington with his wife, Carolynn.