Poet of the Day: Jack Prelutsky- The Visitor

Today we have a poet before us that does not have a lot of biographical information but that is okay because it is a brief biography! Jack Prelutsky was born in 1940 on September 8th in Brooklyn, New York. While he went through school he hated poetry but found a love for it once more at the age of 24. He started writing my accident and ended up with a book of poetry published. (Wow! I wish that would happen to me!) And now he is an acclaimed Children’s poet! Even before he became that acclaimed children’s poet he worked as a truck driver, folksinger and many others.  He is married to a woman named Carolynn, they have no children but they have different pets. He has published many different anthologies and collections of poems. Some of which include: Be Glad your Nose is on your Facey and other Poems which was published in 2008 and Nightmares: Poems to Trouble your Sleep which was published in 1978. Today he continues to inspire children everywhere with his fun poetry.

The poem I chose from him today is called The Visitor! I hope you enjoy!

The Visitor 

it came today to visit
and moved into the house
it was smaller than an elephant
but larger than a mouse

first it slapped my sister
then it kicked my dad
then it pushed my mother
oh! that really made me mad

it went and tickled rover
and terrified the cat
it sliced apart my necktie
and rudely crushed my hat

it smeared my head with honey
and filled the tub with rocks
and when i yelled in anger
it stole my shoes and socks

that’s just the way it happened
it happened all today
before it bowed politely
and softly went away

Sources of Information and Further Reading:

http://www.poemhunter.com/jack-prelutsky/biography/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Prelutsky

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_meet.htm This is an interview of Jack Prelutsky!

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/68

http://www.jackprelutsky.com/ A site for children, adults and teachers! Read more information about the poet or find some ways of teaching or integrating poetry into your child’s life.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-visitor/ An easy place to search for any poem and poet!