Ride a Purple Pelican: A Timeless Collection of Whimsical Rhymes and Unforgettable Friends for Children (Ages 4-8)

by Jack Prelutsky, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

It is hard to believe that Cincinnati Patty, Justin Austin, Pennington Poe, and the little pink pig in Arkansas have not been chanted and sung about by children for generations. But it is not hard to believe that they Will be chanted and sung about for generations to come! Jack Prelutsky and Garth Williams have created a nursery world, peopled with unforgettable characters. Come and meet your new friends. They will be old friends soon!

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Humor

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Jack Prelutsky is an American poet. He attended New York public schools, and later the High School of Music and Art and Hunter College. Prelutsky, who has also worked as a busboy, furniture mover, folk singer, and cab driver, claims that he hated poetry in grade school because of the way it was taught. He is the author of more than 30 poetry collections including Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep< and A Pizza the Size of the Sun. He has also compiled countless children's anthologies comprised of poems of others'. Jack Prelutsky was married to Von Tre Venefue, a woman he had met in France. They divorced in 1995, but Jack remarried. He currently lives in Washington state with his wife, Carolyn. He befriended a gay poet named Espiritu Salamanca in 1997 and both now work together in writing poems and stories for children and adults alike.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanciful, humorous verse told about various places (the majority in the USA). Wonderful illustrations.

[LauraW · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is funny (to me) how some books stick with you over the years and some just fade away. I read this book the first few times many years ago when my children were small. And now, I wanted to read it to my granddaughter, only I couldn't find my copy. I gave away a couple thousand of my kids' books years ago, when I stopped teaching and this was probably one of them. I have read it again just this week and it is still great for me. Engaging, silly, but not ludicrously so. She is only 2 1/2, so I may wait a while to read it to her. But soon...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ride a Purple Pelican is a book of children’s Rhymes. It has a whole assortment of different poems. I really enjoyed reading this book because I felt that the poems are all really fun and uplifting. I also really enjoyed the pictures that are in the book. They are big and take up the whole page. It really allows you to find yourself lost in the imaginary world of Jack Prelutsky.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Prelutsky's book is full of poems and great illustrations. This book as well as many others by Jack are great for teaching poetry and about how authors write. There are illustrations for each poem. Children can create their own poetry based on the silly poems in the book and draw pictures to go with them.

[Kathy Roderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect read aloud poetry book for very young children! Enjoyable, humorous, full-page illustrations beautifully complement the silliness of the poems. This book could also be useful with older children learning about rhyming words.

[Kate Tobiczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite aunt gave this to me when I was a little girl and I would read it every night before bed. Just found it the other day and it brought back many memories. Forgot how good it was.

[Jamie Hargreaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a little girl by my grandmother, and it was one of my favorite books as a little girl.

[Prplpckl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book of poems/rhymes to read aloud accompanied by fantastic pictures. A must have for reading aloud.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband recently read this book to my five year old and I had forgotten how much I loved his poetry. So appropriate for children of all ages and fun!

[Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites! Lovely illustrations that straddle the line between cute and creepy. In a good way!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of poetry all told in rhyme. A very enjoyable and silly read for those who enjoy nursery stories and rhymes.

[Kit Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

When looking for Christmas books for my nephews, Justin and Austin, back in 1988 or so, I saw a book cover whose illustrations I immediately recognized as Garth Williams, prolific illustrator of classics such as Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Little House books. I opened it up to the first poem and read, "Justin Austin skipped to Boston..." and immediately bought two copies! I've been giving it as a gift at baby showers for decades now. Prelutsky knows how to make rhymes memorable...and memorizeable!

[Barbara Slagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom had purchased this for my kids when they were small. I lent it out to someone who,sadly, lost it. Disappointing because my mother had inscribed it and now she has passed on. Nevertheless, I purchased a new copy for my own grandchildren. Such a fun book, and I don’t mind saying that I read it cover to cover again when it arrived.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prelutsky's poems are a joy to read. This book would be a good companion to US Geography as a common thread through all the poems is the use of US city names like Kalamazoo, Seattle, and Cincinatti. Favorite poem: Rumpity Tumpity. Who doesn't love to say "Buntington bunny"?

[Sarah Limb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that this was a collection of poems, so I was a little disappointed as I read that it wasn’t a story. I liked the poems! I thought they were silly and used fun words to say but I am also not a huge poem kind of gal!

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book title is Ride a Purple Pelican and the last poem in the collection also shares this title. Short poem featuring a purple pelican and a silver stork.

2024 storytime theme: Pelicans

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless children's book with fanciful rhymes and beautiful, engaging illustrations.

[Orion Kopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mom says this was a little weirder than she remembers.

[Nancy Chard]

USA nursery rhymes - love this book. I highly recommend it!

[Galit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with very very good children’s literature which my entire family quotes to each other at appropriate occasions. Thank you to my highly curatorial parents.

[Lillian Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun to read a children’s poetry book that isn’t just the same old poems you’re used to!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

These scan quite well. And oh, I love Garth Williams!

[Roger Haak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Most of the rhymes were just one stanza, and I wished they were two or three.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of humorous poems for children. Cute illustrations to go with each poem.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

2-year-old niece liked it and I liked Garth William's illustrations, so that's what counts.

[Kacie Fincher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of very short stories is a great tool for teaching young children about rhyming. Each story takes the reader to a different place with a variety of wacky creatures. From Grandfather Gander to Cincinnati Patty, each tale is fun and promotes the imagination to wander. This would be a great book for the young grades. Children could really get involved in the read aloud. With so many rhyming words for each story, the children will have a great time guessing what words might come next.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it looks a little dated, I like the beat in which the poems and rhymes consist of. The author does a good job of making it fun to read and finds great workds to rhyme. The author also went 'outside of the box' and made situations silly and unrealistic, but entertaining. I would most likely use this book for younger children or lower grades.

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am doing an author study slash poetry cafe and station exploration with the kids at my school for National Poetry month. This is one of the books I am using for this activity. I enjoy Jack Prelutsky's poems because they are easy to read and understand and also fun!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ultimate Reading Challenge 2017. A book with pictures.

Illustrated by Garth Williams. This time it is a lesson in geography with poems that mention lots of different places. Prelutsky like Dr. Seuss isn't afraid to create words that help the rhyme along.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, silly rhymes for kids (and goofy adults). Similar to Shel Silverstein's poetry. Lots of fun! :)