My daughter's favorite bedtime reading. A wonderful collection of poetry for children (and entertaining reading for adults too!). Fun rhymnes, bright illustrations and humorous approach make my 3 1/2 year old laughout loud. She asks for poems by name -- especially "My Name Is". This book makes reading poetry a joyful experience and will be the first Christmas gift I send the children on my list this year.

This is a great gift to kids (and adults) that like playing with words. Jack Prelutsky has compiled some of the best poetry of the 20th Century. His aim is true. There are no clunkers in this anthology. The poetry covers the broad range from wistful to joyful, with imagination to spare.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the illustrations by Meilo So. They gorgeously illustrate the gist of many poems. Just like the poems, the paintings drip with imagination and wonder.

Some people may frown at spoon-feeding images, rather than letting the child make up his/her own. They may have a point, yet you can always discuss the images with the kid, decide whether they properly frame the poems and/or discuss what other images would have been better. In other words, these illustrations can be used a spring board for further imaginative work.

All in all, I highly recommend this book.

When I ordered this book, I was very curious to see how my first-grader, a beginner reader, would respond to poetry that was more sophisticated and literary than the rhyming words of her preschool books. She absolutely loved it, understanding enough of the content, intrigued by the colorful illustrations and entertained by the way poems sound when read aloud. For the parent, it's a welcomed change of pace from reading stories aloud. For the child, it's an imaginative introduction to the different ways words can be used to express thoughts and feelings. I liked it so much that I ordered a copy for my child's first-grade class.

Jack Prelutsky continues to prove that he cannot be pigeon-holed into the role of simply a poet. In his role as editor of yet another poetry anthology with the publication of The Beauty of the Beast, Prelutsky has once again chosen poems that fit with and enhance the book's overall theme. Children will be delighted with the variety of poetic genres exhibited here--from the sublime to the hillarious. Meilo So's pictures form a charming backdrop to these poems, and each section of the book features a beautifully lyric haiku written by Prelutsky. This book is truly a feast for any poetry lover and would enhance anyone's personal or classroom library.

Hi my name is Roxanne! I am 9 years old! I recived it from my aunt Barbra. I loved it so much that I went to a bookstore called,"The Frugal Frigate". It's the best! I bought the book for my teacher! She loved it too! She started telling all the teachers and everybody! Then they started buing,"The Beauty Of The Beast!"

Nobody ever collected animals together like Noah. Nobody ever collected animal poems like Jack Prelutsky. The Beauty of the Beast is a winner with great animal poems that appeal to all ages. If you like animals, you'll love these animal poems, and may even find yourself liking poetry too. We did.

This is a delightful collection of poems written from the perspective of the canine that speaks to the uniqueness of each month. The language as well as illustrations will captivate and hold the interest of child as well as adult. I have shared this with my son's kindergarten teacher, who agreed it is a gem!

What a wonderful little book. While the rhyme of Mr. Prelutsky is always fresh and fine, it was the illustrations that captured my mind. Dyanna Wolcott has a wonderful eye for the child like experience. She captures the world of dogs with a fanciful blend of humor, originality and blazing color. As a book of months this is a wonderful teaching tool. But I found it a special book for dog lovers too. I gave a copy to my daughter as a gift. She's 42!

I am still giggling at the original rhymes perfectly paired with imaginative illustrations in this terrific book for young kids that parents will enjoy reading to them time and again. I can't get over the clever, exquisite art work that call to mind works of Mattisse and Chagal.

One of the funniest poems we read was "I'm Stuck Inside a Seashell"! ...And one of the poems is "It's Raining Pigs and Noodles", just like the title (and they don't even just talk about pigs and noodles - they talk about all sorts of other things!)

All the poems are so funny and I was able to read some of them myself! ...And I learned never to take a bath all day and all night (Ha! Ha!)! I can't wait to read his other books!

Mom's note: "This collection of poems was simply adorable. I enjoyed reading them with my child as much as she enjoyed hearing them. ...And the simplicity of the poems allowed her to read some of them to me as well. A highly recommended bit of silliness!"

Jack Prelutsky's It's Raining Pigs and Noodles is a wonderful,imaginative collection of poems the whole family will enjoy, that willmake you smile, giggle, laugh and sometimes roar. His witty, sillyand often irreverent verses are full of wordplay, puns, jokes, andeven fun with shapes. Where else can you find out about Grungy Grace"I hardly ever brush my teeth or wash my hands and face..."or Plooters "We are Plooters, we don't care, we make messeseverywhere..." or Titanic Timmy Tinkletunes "that when heplays the violin, he has to use a cello." James Stevenson'ssimple, humorous, yet expressive black and while illustrations, addjust the right touch and compliment each poem perfectly. This is abook younger children will want to hear again and again, older kidswill want to read over and over and adults will just plain enjoy. Sosit back, put your feet up and find out why "I'm Ironing myRhinoceros", what happens to "The Dancing Hippopotami"and where "There was Unabated Chaos". You can't go wrongwith this book!

The creators of "The New Kid on the Block", and "A Pizza the Size of the Sun" are back and just a looney as ever. There are over 100 poems to make you giggle, guffaw, snort and chuckle.

Prelutsky's poems alternate between being witty, sweet, nonsensical and often totally shamless! And Stevenson's illustrations are a giggle unto themselves. You will find yourself reading and re-reading them to your kids -- and for yourself. Pick it and don't be ashamed to laugh yourself silly.

Jack Prelutsky has a talent for writing silly little poems about everyday things, bringing delight to young and old alike! In this book, he gives poetic justice to Valentine's Day in the most lighthearted way. My sons, now teenagers, were all fortunate enough to be introduced to this book, Jack Prelutsky, and poetry in general, by their first-grade teacher. They spent many happy moments reading these poems depicting a child's view of Valentine's Day...and I enjoyed them as well! Put this one on your list!

This is a great children's book. It is filled with Valentine's Day poems for kids of all ages. The poems are simple and easy to read, and theres pictures for each one, too. This book will surely bring happiness to your next Valentines Day.

I love this book. My mom used to read it to me when I was small, and it has always been one of my favorites. I lost my original book many years ago but now that I am an aunt I have searched high and low to relocate it as a gift for my nephew. The short stories in the book are touching as well as humorous and have a way of gripping readers both young and old!!

This is the most wonderful book of poems for children I have ever seen. I heard about this book while watching Mr.Rogers with my then 2 year old daughter. I read all the poems to her, again and again. Each poem is a gem, and the book meanders through issues like perseverance, sadness, anger, ingenuity and imagination. If you want to share your love of books with your child, don't pass this one up. When she was 3 years old, my daughter surprized me by reciting one of the poems from memory.

I am 11. I first read this book when I was two. I love this book! Every child should read this wonderful book. This is Prelutsky at his best!

FUNNY AND EASY TO REMEMBER. POETRY CHILDREN CAN EQUATE WITH. A READ ALOUD OR EARLY READER. IT'S TIMELESS IN SUBJECT MATTER.

This collection of poems relate to bedtime and nighttime. While much shorter than Jack's better known collections ("New Kid on the Block", etc.), I believe the emotional range is broader in this book. This book includes wistful poems and cutesy-scary poems, that would feel out of place in Jack's funny poems compilations. Of course, there are many funny poems, but the real gems are the others.

High marks to Jack.

I think many kids of all ages will enjoy this book. Many of Jack Prelutsky's books tickle your funny bone!

This was my cousin's favorite book as a child. Jack Prelutsky did a good job of it. Even though the book is about as long as a novel, my baby cousin (now nine and a half) sat through the whole book. When she got up to Anna Banana, she would hold her hands up in the air like she was walking on them. The poems, (some based on familiar nursery rhymes) others totally original, are still staples around our household. I would reccomend it to any child. --Robert Metz

If you like horror or mutilation, you will like this book. My favorite stories are the headless Horseman and the Zombie.

My three sons, now teenagers, (and I,) were fortunate to have been introduced to this book by their first-grade teacher...and it brought us together for some very enjoyable reading! These poems are just downright funny, in the most innocent and slightly ornery way! My oldest son became an instant fan of Jack Prelutsky, and was even inspired to make up his own poems! Marylin Hafner's illustrations are just right to complement Prelutsky's poems--she captures the essence of each poem! You (uh, and your children!) will most assuredly enjoy this book!