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Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme
When Jack Prelutksy posted the first couplet of a funny poem on a Web site and invited children to finish it, he expected about 100 responses. He got thousands. Now he has come up with an anthology of poems on 10 popular subjects by well-known poets and combined it with his own “poemstarts.” Included with each poemstart are suggestions for various ways the reader might continue the poem. With large type and a big red stop sign, it is made abundantly clear that the reader get a pencil and paper to complete the poem. Jack Prelutsky has been credited with making poetry fun for children to read. Now he is making poetry fun for children to write!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2005
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Jack Prelutsky
148 books232 followersJack 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 3, 2021
Jack Prelutsky is always a big hit with kids. But, this book is probably his least popular. It has a strong teaching component instead of pure (to the kids anyway) entertainment.
Classroom Connection
As an educator, one of my goals is for my students to experience poetry in a way that will help them understand how to read it and learn to love it. I want my students to learn to read poetry for pleasure. I did not learn to love poetry until I was in college working on my minor in English Literature. As I became a teacher, I wanted to find a way to help my own students learn to love poetry early on. What else can teach you a love of language so effectively? In Lawsonland, we have a daily poem that I read at the start of morning meeting. I read entire poetry books as a part of SSR. Students have the option to memorize a poem of the week for a big end of year prize. That is always a big hit. Each February in Lawsonland, we have a poetry unit. Part of that unit is a Poetry Scavenger Hunt. I teach a mini lesson on one of the small components of poetry. Then, the students scatter and begin to read from the 50 or so poetry books I've gathered and book talked for them. I allow them to partner read and chat as they go. The main object is to enjoy the poems and be able to recognize and identify certain characteristics of poetry such as rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration. After several days of just reading, the students begin to search for poems that meet the criteria I laid out in the scavenger hunt. It's big fun and a way to focus their learning. At the end of each lesson we all circle up and several students share the poems they have discovered and love. Each year, I have students learn to love poetry and enjoy playing with words. This is probably my favorite unit of all.
Classroom Connection
As an educator, one of my goals is for my students to experience poetry in a way that will help them understand how to read it and learn to love it. I want my students to learn to read poetry for pleasure. I did not learn to love poetry until I was in college working on my minor in English Literature. As I became a teacher, I wanted to find a way to help my own students learn to love poetry early on. What else can teach you a love of language so effectively? In Lawsonland, we have a daily poem that I read at the start of morning meeting. I read entire poetry books as a part of SSR. Students have the option to memorize a poem of the week for a big end of year prize. That is always a big hit. Each February in Lawsonland, we have a poetry unit. Part of that unit is a Poetry Scavenger Hunt. I teach a mini lesson on one of the small components of poetry. Then, the students scatter and begin to read from the 50 or so poetry books I've gathered and book talked for them. I allow them to partner read and chat as they go. The main object is to enjoy the poems and be able to recognize and identify certain characteristics of poetry such as rhythm, rhyme, and alliteration. After several days of just reading, the students begin to search for poems that meet the criteria I laid out in the scavenger hunt. It's big fun and a way to focus their learning. At the end of each lesson we all circle up and several students share the poems they have discovered and love. Each year, I have students learn to love poetry and enjoy playing with words. This is probably my favorite unit of all.
December 6, 2017
Poetry - This Book is not only full of poems, but also filled with poem starts so students can write their own poems. This would be a fabulous classroom aid for any age group.
October 17, 2021
I think this would be a nice book for children during their poetry unit
January 25, 2022
Gift from Harper's grandmother
March 17, 2016
Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme (2005) Poems selected by Jack Prelutsky and Illustrated by Meilo So
This picture book is composed of a set of poems on ten different themes, including birthdays, bugs, food and friends. Each page has darling, rhyming poems matching the themes. For instance, under the topic of turtles, there are three different poems, “The Box Turtle, “A Turtle with a Tiny Head,” and “Turtle Trouble.” Additionally, each page has a poemstart. A poemstart is when the author of the picture book begins a poem and readers are to continue the poem, given the opportunity to write their own rhyme. Starting out a poem and providing examples of strong poems makes it easier for readers to get into poetry writing.
• While this picture book’s emphasis is on the poems, the pictures do a wonderful job of making poetry fun and interesting for readers. The pictures are beautifully painted, using bright water colors. One picture that especially catches my eye is the one of the bulldog. The watercolors bring the bulldog to life, emphasizing the vivid imagery of the coinciding poems. All of the pictures are in the center of each page and are very imaginative, making the poetry come across in this way, as well.
• The structure of this picture book is very well done. The poems frame the pictures, as the stanzas go down each of the book’s sides vertically. Furthermore, all of the poems are a very good length. For beginning readers just getting into reading poetry, the poems are not intimidating but short and sweet. They allow readers to get a good feel of the poetry genre.
• All of the poems have a strong rhyme scheme. They have a certain flow, or beat to them, and come across as very catchy. For instance, “I am very fond of bugs, I kiss them And I give them hugs,” is a phrase that reads flowingly.
• Underneath each of the poem starts, the author gives advice and tips as to how to continue each poem. This is helpful for those readers who are unfamiliar with poetry or who need help getting started.
I would absolutely recommend this poetry book. The pictures are some of the prettiest ones that I have seen in any picture book that I have read thus far. Furthermore, what makes this picture book unique is its poemstart idea. The poemstart makes the reading interactive and gives it even more of a purpose- to help readers, not only develop poetry reading skills, but also writing skills.
This picture book is composed of a set of poems on ten different themes, including birthdays, bugs, food and friends. Each page has darling, rhyming poems matching the themes. For instance, under the topic of turtles, there are three different poems, “The Box Turtle, “A Turtle with a Tiny Head,” and “Turtle Trouble.” Additionally, each page has a poemstart. A poemstart is when the author of the picture book begins a poem and readers are to continue the poem, given the opportunity to write their own rhyme. Starting out a poem and providing examples of strong poems makes it easier for readers to get into poetry writing.
• While this picture book’s emphasis is on the poems, the pictures do a wonderful job of making poetry fun and interesting for readers. The pictures are beautifully painted, using bright water colors. One picture that especially catches my eye is the one of the bulldog. The watercolors bring the bulldog to life, emphasizing the vivid imagery of the coinciding poems. All of the pictures are in the center of each page and are very imaginative, making the poetry come across in this way, as well.
• The structure of this picture book is very well done. The poems frame the pictures, as the stanzas go down each of the book’s sides vertically. Furthermore, all of the poems are a very good length. For beginning readers just getting into reading poetry, the poems are not intimidating but short and sweet. They allow readers to get a good feel of the poetry genre.
• All of the poems have a strong rhyme scheme. They have a certain flow, or beat to them, and come across as very catchy. For instance, “I am very fond of bugs, I kiss them And I give them hugs,” is a phrase that reads flowingly.
• Underneath each of the poem starts, the author gives advice and tips as to how to continue each poem. This is helpful for those readers who are unfamiliar with poetry or who need help getting started.
I would absolutely recommend this poetry book. The pictures are some of the prettiest ones that I have seen in any picture book that I have read thus far. Furthermore, what makes this picture book unique is its poemstart idea. The poemstart makes the reading interactive and gives it even more of a purpose- to help readers, not only develop poetry reading skills, but also writing skills.
September 17, 2016
This is a unique collection of poems in that there is no unifying theme. Rather, each page has a theme of its own. Three published poems appear on each spread, accompanied by a "poemstart" to help the reader write a poem of his own.
For example, on the page about food, the poems are "Crack an Egg" by Denise Rodgers, "Mashed Potatoes" by Eve Merriam, and "Eating Blueberries" by Sandra Olson Liatsos.
"Mashed Potatoes" paints a lovely picture of a huge mountain of mashed potatoes, and urges us to "scoop it all up / with a giant's spoon." "Blueberries" evokes the exact feeling of having a blueberry in one's mouth when it says, "We found them / Big as marbles / And we rolled them / In our mouths / And bit them / Till the juice / Ran down in rivers." The poemstart then gives the reader these few lines to work with:
I'm hungry, so I think that I
Will have a piece of penguin pie.
When that is finished, I will eat
A _______________________.
The reader is then given a few suggestions for completing the poem and left to his own poetic devices.
Many wonderful poets are included in this slim anthology, including Karla Kuskin, J. Patrick Lewis, Odgen Nash, Myra Cohn Livingston, Charles Ghigna, and Jack Prelutsky himself.
Here are just a few other snippets I really liked:
Myra Cohn Livingston's Rain tells us that summer rain is cool enough that she can "go barefoot in a pool," but when winter rain "is cold, and pours," she "must watch it from indoors."
Tony Johnston writes a simple three-line poem, about a dog named Mutterly, whom he loves utterly, and who "makes [his] heart melt, butterly."
Finally, Dennis Lee reflects on salient childhood memories of "chugging through the summertime / Like summer couldn't end."
The illustrations accompanying the poems are really neat - rough lines and splotches of paint give them lots of texture and shadow, which has a very dramatic effect.
For budding poets, classroom teachers, and poetry fans of all ages - a definite must-read!
For example, on the page about food, the poems are "Crack an Egg" by Denise Rodgers, "Mashed Potatoes" by Eve Merriam, and "Eating Blueberries" by Sandra Olson Liatsos.
"Mashed Potatoes" paints a lovely picture of a huge mountain of mashed potatoes, and urges us to "scoop it all up / with a giant's spoon." "Blueberries" evokes the exact feeling of having a blueberry in one's mouth when it says, "We found them / Big as marbles / And we rolled them / In our mouths / And bit them / Till the juice / Ran down in rivers." The poemstart then gives the reader these few lines to work with:
I'm hungry, so I think that I
Will have a piece of penguin pie.
When that is finished, I will eat
A _______________________.
The reader is then given a few suggestions for completing the poem and left to his own poetic devices.
Many wonderful poets are included in this slim anthology, including Karla Kuskin, J. Patrick Lewis, Odgen Nash, Myra Cohn Livingston, Charles Ghigna, and Jack Prelutsky himself.
Here are just a few other snippets I really liked:
Myra Cohn Livingston's Rain tells us that summer rain is cool enough that she can "go barefoot in a pool," but when winter rain "is cold, and pours," she "must watch it from indoors."
Tony Johnston writes a simple three-line poem, about a dog named Mutterly, whom he loves utterly, and who "makes [his] heart melt, butterly."
Finally, Dennis Lee reflects on salient childhood memories of "chugging through the summertime / Like summer couldn't end."
The illustrations accompanying the poems are really neat - rough lines and splotches of paint give them lots of texture and shadow, which has a very dramatic effect.
For budding poets, classroom teachers, and poetry fans of all ages - a definite must-read!
March 24, 2016
Jack Prelutsky is brilliant! As he is known as a writer who engages children in his fun-loving poetry, this book engages them in writing poetry as well! In this book, he presents a few short poems on different themes (birthdays, bugs, friends, etc.) and along with the poems he has also created what he calls "poemstarts" relating to the themes. These poemstarts allow children to get their wheels turning and write their own poems about what they know or have experienced about these topics.
Personally, I remember poetry being hard as an elementary student- to read and write. Prelutsky offers a more relaxing way to begin writing poetry. Rather than telling students to just write a poem on a certain topic, he offers actual beginnings of poems in which you can complete the stanzas and tips on thinking of ideas or memories that may help you write a poem.
"Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme" could be used wonderfully in a second or third grade classroom as a read aloud, and then have students actually write their own poems either in pairs or individually. The teacher could stop and discuss each poemstart throughout the book and have kids begin to think about how they could create their own, creative poem. I highly recommend this book to any fellow struggling poem writers and any teachers beginning a unit on poems!
Personally, I remember poetry being hard as an elementary student- to read and write. Prelutsky offers a more relaxing way to begin writing poetry. Rather than telling students to just write a poem on a certain topic, he offers actual beginnings of poems in which you can complete the stanzas and tips on thinking of ideas or memories that may help you write a poem.
"Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme" could be used wonderfully in a second or third grade classroom as a read aloud, and then have students actually write their own poems either in pairs or individually. The teacher could stop and discuss each poemstart throughout the book and have kids begin to think about how they could create their own, creative poem. I highly recommend this book to any fellow struggling poem writers and any teachers beginning a unit on poems!
February 23, 2008
Read a Rhyme is designed to get readers writing and is so simple in design that one wonders why we haven’t seen a book like this before. Each two-page spread features three poems by various authors on a single topic (birthdays, cows, snow) and one “poemstart” by Jack Prelutsky, in which he starts a poem with 2-6 lines then invites the reader to finish the poem: “I’m hungry, so I think that I / Will have a piece of penguin pie. / When that is finished, I will eat / A __________.” Each poemstart is accompanied by ideas to help potential poets--possible rhyming words, questions and visual images to spark the imagination, and other creative prompts. Meilo So’s textured watercolor illustrations are excellent companions to the poetry. Language Arts teachers will adore this book, not only for its attention-getting opening page asking readers to scribble their poetic attempts on a piece of scratch paper and not in the book, but also for its incredible classroom potential as a kick-start for kids who “can’t write poetry.”
June 6, 2010
A collection of poems centered around various topics (dogs, rain, food) that children can easily identify with, renowned kid's poet Prelutsky (who selects all of the poems inside) adds a different twist. On the top right hand corner of each page, he has "poemstarts" to help encourage every little writer.
Although I am not a big fan of "we read this, then we follow the prompt to respond" kind of instruction, I do think this book might be fun if used sparingly. I tabbed pages 22 and 23 (poems center around 'myself') for our primary teachers.
Ex:
"Lonely"
When I feel lonely
Then I sit
All by myself
And think a bit,
And ask myself
Why is it true
That certain times
I feel so blue?
Myself Poemstart
I'm bigger than a bumblebee,
I'm smaller than a whale.
I'm slower than a cheetah,
I'm faster than a snail.
I'm _________________________
Although I am not a big fan of "we read this, then we follow the prompt to respond" kind of instruction, I do think this book might be fun if used sparingly. I tabbed pages 22 and 23 (poems center around 'myself') for our primary teachers.
Ex:
"Lonely"
When I feel lonely
Then I sit
All by myself
And think a bit,
And ask myself
Why is it true
That certain times
I feel so blue?
Myself Poemstart
I'm bigger than a bumblebee,
I'm smaller than a whale.
I'm slower than a cheetah,
I'm faster than a snail.
I'm _________________________
May 3, 2015
This poem is a collection of poems written by children that were sent to Jack Prelutsky. Each page is about a certain topic and Prelutsky adds his own poemstarts which are suggestions for various ways the reader might continue the poem or write their own poem.
This is an awesome poetry book since it explores different types of poetry as well as allows readers to grab a pencil and make their own poems or complete the ones on the poemstarts. It has bright illustrations that draws attention to the poetry on each page. It can be a great curriculum accessory which lets students practice rhyme. I really liked how the illustrations were placed in the middle of each page and the poems were surrounded around them. I enjoyed the creativity of the poems that were in here as well. Prelutsky even adds a detailed frontispiece.
This is an awesome poetry book since it explores different types of poetry as well as allows readers to grab a pencil and make their own poems or complete the ones on the poemstarts. It has bright illustrations that draws attention to the poetry on each page. It can be a great curriculum accessory which lets students practice rhyme. I really liked how the illustrations were placed in the middle of each page and the poems were surrounded around them. I enjoyed the creativity of the poems that were in here as well. Prelutsky even adds a detailed frontispiece.
February 24, 2015
Personal Reaction- This book is awesome. Its engaging and entertaining. I think kids would love to read this.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 2nd grade students
-enrichment and enjoyment due to the interaction that is provided by the author
-bright illustrations draws attention to the poetry on each page
Curriculum: read aloud/individually
-this has great ways of practicing rhyme
-this also has students/readers start writing parts of poems by finishing the last line of one of the authors
-each poem is different and it displays that poetry is unique to everyone
This is a great book to read when student begin to write poetry. It breaks down the process and makes it easier for children to understand how it works.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 2nd grade students
-enrichment and enjoyment due to the interaction that is provided by the author
-bright illustrations draws attention to the poetry on each page
Curriculum: read aloud/individually
-this has great ways of practicing rhyme
-this also has students/readers start writing parts of poems by finishing the last line of one of the authors
-each poem is different and it displays that poetry is unique to everyone
This is a great book to read when student begin to write poetry. It breaks down the process and makes it easier for children to understand how it works.
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February 26, 2015This book is great!! I think students would really enjoy this book. I really enjoy the extra "poemstarts" to help students begin to write their own poetry.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 2nd grade students as a beginning to a poetry unit where they are expected to write their own basic poem
The illustrations draw readers in and help to explain what is a sometimes hard subject for students to comprehend.
Each poem is different and that emphasizes that students will be able to express themselves freely in this unit.
This in an awesome introductory book to poetry. Students may be familiar with poetry concepts but this aids in breaking down the idea of writing their own poetry.
Purposes:
Read aloud to 2nd grade students as a beginning to a poetry unit where they are expected to write their own basic poem
The illustrations draw readers in and help to explain what is a sometimes hard subject for students to comprehend.
Each poem is different and that emphasizes that students will be able to express themselves freely in this unit.
This in an awesome introductory book to poetry. Students may be familiar with poetry concepts but this aids in breaking down the idea of writing their own poetry.
December 5, 2017
rhymes, create, imagination
July 16, 2008
I picked this book up at the library today and by the title I thought it would have some writing prompts in it. I quickly looked through it and didn't see any, but decided to get it anyway. When I sat down to read it I was really excited about the short lessons Jack Prelutsky includes for each page set. Each page set has 3 or 4 poems about a topic and then there is a poem start and short instructions about how to get started writing your own poem on the topic. This is definitely a book I will be purchasing for my own use!
December 3, 2007
Summary: This book is full of themed poems with explanations of how to write poetry and great ways to start poems. Gets children excited about poetry and helps them get started writing it.
Reflections: This is a great book to get kids excited about writing poetry and best of all makes them more comfortable doing so! I love the themes that are given to help even more!
Connections: poetry, themes, rhyming
Reflections: This is a great book to get kids excited about writing poetry and best of all makes them more comfortable doing so! I love the themes that are given to help even more!
Connections: poetry, themes, rhyming
December 3, 2007
Written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Meilo So. Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Grade level: 1-4
This book includes a collection of poems that were put together with poem "starters" as a way to jump-start kids' creativity and their interest in poetry.
Kids will not only like the fun poems inside, but also the starter poems that they can finish any way they want.
Possible themes/units: poetry
Grade level: 1-4
This book includes a collection of poems that were put together with poem "starters" as a way to jump-start kids' creativity and their interest in poetry.
Kids will not only like the fun poems inside, but also the starter poems that they can finish any way they want.
Possible themes/units: poetry
March 8, 2010
I love the format of this book. Jack Prelutsky organized this collection of poems by topic with three poems on a 2-page spread. Then he added what he calls a "poemstart" along with suggestions to complete the poem. I also love that he gives budding poets a framework from which to begin, but also gives them permission to completely scrap his words and begin with their own! I will definitely use this book as a reference with helping kids explore their inner poet :)
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November 13, 2012I'm not big into poetry. When I decided to teach a co-op writing class for homeschool students (2nd/3rd grade), I knew that even though I don't like poetry much I needed to teach it. :) I found this book to be perfect for our week on poetry. I read the students two poems, and we used two of the "poemstarts". The kids really got into it, and my own son declared it was his favorite week of the writing class.
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June 14, 2016Review by Danielle Seyler
This book is an ideal way to involve students in poetry. Prelutsky provides “poem starts” that gives readers the opportunity to complete the poem themselves! This book began as a website, inviting children to finish funny poems. This website was so successful that he created this book, a collection of poems about different subjects, incorporating famous poets and children.
This book is an ideal way to involve students in poetry. Prelutsky provides “poem starts” that gives readers the opportunity to complete the poem themselves! This book began as a website, inviting children to finish funny poems. This website was so successful that he created this book, a collection of poems about different subjects, incorporating famous poets and children.
December 4, 2007
I loved this book and it would be a great teaching tool for every classroom! In this book Jack Prelutsky includes tons of poems and poem starters so that kids can write their own poems. I think kids would love the funny poems and illustrations and would love being able to write their own poetry just like the author. This would work perfectly in a poetry writing unit.
September 27, 2008
This book of poems has three to four poems on each page covering a topic then a starter poem with suggestions on how to continue the poem. The pages are beautifully illustrated and fun to look at. Some of the topics are rain, snow, best friends, birthdays, cows, turtles, bugs, and many more fun topics
Genre: Poems
Grade:K-5
Genre: Poems
Grade:K-5
October 29, 2008
This book is full of shore poems that describe topics such as birthdays, rain and turtles. "Poemsmart" activities offer the first few lines of new poem with ideas for finishing it. Preschool teachers can read the poem-starts out loud and invite the children to make up their own ending. A really terrific book.
July 22, 2014
I really like this format to help kids get started with writing poetry. The author provides sample poems and then a "poemstart" with encouragement and a beginning to write your own work for 10 different topics. Teachers should give this a try and get rid of those awful contrived acrostic poems that seem to be the backbone of every poetry unit.
September 5, 2016
Jack Pretlutsky chose poems as example of specific types, then wrote a starter and then you can write your own! Mashed Potatoes was a favorite of mine, as well as 2 by Ogden Nash.
Mashed Potatoes, mashed potatoes, piled up high,
mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, up to the sky..... by Eve Merriam
Mashed Potatoes, mashed potatoes, piled up high,
mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, up to the sky..... by Eve Merriam
May 3, 2011
This book is a wonderful resource for children interested in starting to write their own poetry. Each page layout includes ideas and poem starts for writing your own poem on the same page theme. Very fun poetry, and themes most students can relate to easily.
April 6, 2012
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!
October 27, 2007
Another good book on poetic forms, with poem starts by Prelutsky. Fun!
June 26, 2009
An interesting book designed to help young children learn about poetry with some exercises for them to practice writing their own last lines or even a whole poem.
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October 14, 2010This a a great resource to have on your bookshelf. It makes teaching poetry not so scary
November 12, 2011
This book will help my students learn how to rhyme. It will also give them examples of rhyming words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews