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!

Our third grade class likes all the poems because they are funny. We think this book is great. You might like to read the poem, "Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face."

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.

What a terrific, fun, lively book! As much fun for me and my husband to read as it is for our son to have it read to him. Even though he is still small, he loves the rhyming cadence of it and the pictures. A nice change from Dr. Seuss - I just love Awful Ogre! Especially when he dances...or courts a grrrrl...or goes out to dinner...

This book would be a terrific addition to any childs library.

Fans of Prelutsky and fans of Zelinsky, rejoice! This devoutly-to-be-wished combination comes off just as well as you might imagine. It really does present a day in the life of a one-eyed ogre in poems and pictures. And by all means, read it out loud! It's so much more fun that way. My favorite -- "When elves and gnomes encounter me, / They often shriek, 'Grotesque!' / I bow with magnanimity / And murmur, 'Statuesque!' " And the pictures! There are a lot of things going on in the four-color pictures. And kids will have fun finding them all! Some of the language is hilariously gross and disgusting -- and not for the squeamish! Prelutsky obviously has always loved the sound of words -- and big ones, at that. And as always, he doesn't write DOWN to kids. There is a glorious perfection in his rhythms. Kids will love to grimace and wince along with the gory subject matter. This book is so much fun!

Jack Prelutsky, author of more than 30 artistic creations, takes the reader on a journey through the daily rituals of an ogre's pleasantly gross life. Prelutsky describes all of the ogre's activities from sunrise, when his pet rattlesnake wakes him, until late into the night, when he has a nightmare about a beautifully tranquil place. Using fabulous double-page spreads, Zelinsky illustrates how the ogre enjoys a violent storm, tends to his garden of carnivorous roses and overblown mold and takes supper at a local restaurant where his titanic appetite is satisfied with triple helpings of everything (including the silverware, plates and tablecloth). The 18 rhythmic and witty verses are brought to life with remarkable detail using watercolor and pen and ink. This combination of gruesome humor, along with the realistic snapshots of the ogre's life, will provide many hours of entertainment and enjoyment to all those who are ready to experience the adventure. Everyone will fall in love with this oversized and grotesque, but playful, ogre as they scour each marvelous and explosive work of art! (Ages 6 and older)

My nearly 2 year old daughter has us read this to her over and over. Last week at a restaurant she spontaneously started reciting "Peanut Peg & Peanut Pete". It's fun to read cover to cover or just a few. And I can see her reading it for many years to come.

Definitely a good addition to your child's library.

My son is about to turn 4 and LOVES this book. We make up songs to many on the poems, act out the different siutations and went in search of red suspenders for him. The poems are simple but visual and evocative of seasons, moods and fun. I highly recommend it!!!

The frog wore red suspenders
and the pigs worse purple vests,
as they sang to all the chickens
and the ducks upon their nests.

They croaked and oinked a serenade,
the ducks and chickens sighed,
then laid enormous spangled eggs,
and quacked and clucked with pride.

Earlier generations had Edward Lear, Dr. Seuss and Tom Lehrer to introduce them to the wonders of what some might disparage as mere "nonsense" verse. To the list of those for whom words are mere play things, we can add Jack Prelutsky, who presents these poems about people and animals set off in such exotic locals from Monterey to Winnemuca. These poems, intended for children age 5 and up, will introduce young readers to Peanut Peg and Peanut Pete of Atlanta, Spotter and Swatter two talented otters, and an elephant perched on a sycamore tree in Indianapolis. Plus, wait until you see what happens in Tuscaloose, after dark.

"The Frog Wore Red Suspenders" includes over two dozen poems, illustrated by Petra Mathers in a sort of American primitive style that young child will find comforting (my favorite is her painting for "In Minot, North Dakota," where the snowmouse blows away). But the chief charm of this book are the funny verses, especially if the kids happen to find one about the city in which they live.

It is the best Halloween book ever. It has just the right amount of creepiness to get kids really excited about Halloween. A fun book with simple rhyme schemes and memorable illustrations, it will keep kids interested. I'm 27 and I still love it.

There must have been a lot of kids in the early 80s who got this book through a Scholastic Book Club and loved it. I am 26 now and this book still haunts me even though I have not seen my childhood copy in over 5 years. Though every Halloween I think of this book and the excitement I felt reading it as a kid. I especially love the goblin sitting in the tree outside the one boy's window towards the end. The look on his face is so reflective, it's creepy! I recommend this to ANYONE who has kids, who knows kids, or who is a kid.

I first read this book MANY years ago. I got it from one of those wonderful Scholastic book order forms that were given out in class. I STILL love all the poems in it and have found that they stuck in my mind for all these years. I am delighted to find that it is still in print. This is an excellent addition to the library of anyone who has children or who enjoys Halloween in general!

These poems are clever and fun to hear. The illustrations bring the words to life. My kids ask me to read these over and over again. (Fun for parents too.)

This is a very handsome book in which the author and the illustrator have collaborated with remarkable skill. The verse is always amusing but can give a young reader some pleasant shivers. The array of grotesque creatures - gremlins, goblins, basilisks, gargoyles, headless ghosts - is presented most fascinatingly by the very brilliant artist, while the author gives the faintly sinister but always poetic nature of the pictures a frequent dimension of humour. My seven-year-old granddaughter fell immediately in love with the book which I greatly enjoyed reading out to her, but her ten-year-old brother and twelve-year-old sister were just as taken with it. In fact her elder brother and sister could appreciate rather more than she did how witty some of the verse is. Certainly a book I can recommend unreservedly to all lovers of books - young and old.

I purchased this book for my almost-three-year old whom adores a gargoyle statue I own. On first reading, the monsters frightened her. However, she quickly picked up on the humor and emotions in the poems. She delights in the poems now and is less afraid of monsters. I would suggest that parents use a lot of goofy humor & voice fluctuations when reading the stories. Young children with a fear of monsters or an undeveloped sense of humor may need to grow into this book. Also, there are only 3 gargoyle poems, the balance are werewolf, vampire, gobblins, and boogeyman poems. This is now my daughter's favorite goodnight book..and no nightmares!

I bought this book because Jim Trelease recommends it. Jim's Read Aloud Handbook is the definitive work on how reading to children is the #1 factor in increasing intelligence. Read-Aloud Rhymes is fun, funny and I have never tired of reading its many poems over the past two years to my kids (4 year old boy, twin 2 year old girls). It is my favorite and theirs as well.

If your little ones are driving you nuts and you feel like you're stuck on an island (like they're starring in Lord of the Flies), this book could save your life! Seriously, it is the best book for children in print today. I spend tons of time and the library and this book is one you must take home to keep.

I purchased this for my son over a year ago, he is 3 now & this is one of his favorite books. Its a family treasure & every child should have one in their collection.

The short, unique rhymes are so fun to read. They are charming and sweet for little ones and parents and so much nicer than those awful Mother Goose nursery rhymes. They're organized by subject matter, so there's a section on rain, going to bed, the garden, etc. The illustrations by Marc Brown alone are worth the price. It's a pleasure to read so many funny, uplifting rhymes...not plotless tradgedies like humpty, dumpty and Jack and Jill. I look forward to reading to my baby as much as he does.

This is a book that I delight in reading over and over - something I can't say for most books. The rhymes are fun and imaginative and flow naturally. The vocabulary used is adult and lends depth to the images. The illustrations are fascinating and relaxing with their dense patterns, quiet colors, and wide vistas. My daughter, who is six, loves the book and I imagine she will love it for many years. Scranimals is a classic. It will definitely get passed down to future generations of our family.

Scranimal Island, we are told, does not appear on most maps, which explains why the strange creatures found with these pages are the sorts never seen before by human eyes. I was expecting to find creatures in the tradition of the chimera, but actually there are only a few examples of similar hybrids, such as the Ostricheetah, the Parotters, and the Stormy Petrelephant. But most of what you will find on Scranimal Island are like the Avocadodo, "a fruit and a fowl inexplicably linked." A few of these might be something you could come up with if you thought long and hard enough about such things on a rainy day, such as the Potatoad, the Orangutangerine, or the Porcupineapple. But it really takes somebody with a wicked sense of imagination to come up with Camelberta Peaches, Spinachickens, or my personal favorite, the Bananaconda. "Scranimals" are the creation of Jack Prelutsky, apparently the poet laureate of the elementary school set, and two-time Caledcott Honor artist Peter Sis. The back cover of this charming little book shows the roots of each of the Scranimals so young readers know how you cross a lion with brocholli and get a brocholion. Once they have finished reading this book, your kids can probably come up with some new Scranimals to join the merry menagerie.

"We're sailing to Scranimal Island,/It doesn't appear on most maps./The PARROTTERS float on the tide there,/The STORMY PETRELEPHANT flaps./We may find a rare OSTRICHEETAH,/There's never been one in a zoo./We're sailing to Scranimal Island-/You're welcome to come along too." So pack your bags and join a young boy and girl on the safari adventure of a lifetime. It's time to explore an island of never before seen mixed up animals, vegetables, birds, flowers, and sea creatures. Meet the aromatic RHINOSEROSE, the green SPINACHICKENS, lowly POTATOAD, and inert HIPPOPOTAMUSHROOMS. Frolic with the noisy PARROTTERS, and the sweet PORCUPINEAPPLE. Swing through the trees with the MANGORILLA, and ORANGUTANGERINE. Watch a pride of BROCCOLIONS hunting ANTELOPETUNIA for dinner, and cavort in a mountain meadow with a PANDAFFODIL. And don't forget to visit the TOUCANEMONES, RADISHARK, BANANACONDA, poor, extinct AVOCADODOS, and other scrambled creatures living out their days on this magical island..... Jack Prelutsky's creative and inventive "scranimal" poems are filled with rhyme, rhythm, engaging wordplay, humor, and silly puns. Award winning illustrator, Peter Sis' intricately detailed artwork dazzles, and will send imaginations soaring with each page turn. Perfect for youngsters of all ages, Scranimals is a unique and captivating, fun-filled romp, and definitely Prelutsky and Sis at their very best. "We've journeyed to Scranimal Island,/Where magical creatures are found,/Where AVOCADODOS still flourish,/And green SPINACHICKENS abound./We've seen a PANDAFFODIL dining,/A PORCUPINEAPPLE at play./Perhaps there is more to discover-/We'd like to return there someday." We can only hope that day comes very soon.

I first read this story as a boy of 7, only 7 years after it was originally published in 1948. My own father was concerned because, as a child, I did not seem to enjoy reading. He read the first few pages of "My Fathers Dragon" then pretended to fall asleep. I was so engrossed in the story that, for the first time in my life, I picked the book up and read it to the end. This was the beginning of my love of books. Now as a third grade teacher, I read the first few pages of this wonderful story to my class and then quietly put the book down.

My Fathers dragon written by R.S.G, may be the best book ever! Elmer is a boy who lives in Evergreen city. One day he meets a cat who tells him about a Dragon .The was trapped on Wild Island and Elmer goes to save him, On the way he tricks a lot of animals. One of them was when he gives lollipops to crocodiles to make a bridge. Does he save the dragon? Read this book to find out!

I love this book and recommend it to anyone who likes to imagine, loves excitement, adventure and danger! It's celebrating 50 years in print, I think it is perfect the way it is! With this book you can experience the magic!

I started to read books when I was 3 years old. When my dad read My Father's Dragon to me, I was. . .well, I don't know, but I think 5. I have a dragon doll and I really recommend the book. It was an exciting adventure and I really like the cat. The cat is real nice and talks about her journey to Elmer. Please enjoy this book. Do you think others would recommend the book? Well, I would. This book is so incredible. Share this book with friends and family.

You should buy the book The Random Book of Poetry for Children because it has funny poems, sad poems, and happy poems. All together it has 572 poems. It can be for children and adults. Also it is my favorite poem book. I think you should buy it. Thank You

Wonderful, just wonderful, this collection of children's poetry sparkles and adds life and verve to any classroom. From the opening stanza of "The Boy What Done A Poo" and the haunting reworking of Goldstein's "Ahhh, I'm telling Miss of you" this anthology will thrill children of all ages, and grown ups too!
(I must point out, however, that the inclusion of controversial poet Sean Hickey's "Bang Bang You're Dead 50 Bullets In Your Head" might cause younger readers some concern).

this book is both wonderful and entertaining. A great book to read to a child and it will bring laughter to you both. Funny adventurous and beautifully illustrated. Introduce your little one to poetry with this great selection.

I ADORE this book. I've been reading and re-reading it since I was in middle school and still get a kick out of the bizarre, witty and hilarious poems and the great variety in the vocabulary. It's one of my "happy books" I read when I'm depressed. Prelutsky is a genius when it comes to poetry for kids (and the young-at-heart!). Get this book, if you have any sense of humor or the absurd you'll love it.

My eight yr. old loves Jack Prelutsky's poems (she has three of his books) but it is also a book that both of us enjoy reading. The poems are very funny and the words he uses are wonderfully descriptive and have expanded her vocabulary. We both highly recommend this book and others by Jack Prelutsky.

Jack Prelutsky is far and away the best poet for kids. Hisverse is full of the joy of life and a chuckle or two, as well as hissignature multisyllabic vocabulary, and it's all wonderful to read aloud. Keep a copy in the car for the kids to read while you drive.