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The Swamps of Sleethe: Poems From Beyond the Solar System
Jack Prelutsky’s exploration of outer space is not for the faint of heart. No friendly little E.T.–type aliens await your arrival. There are many imaginative ways to perish in these darkly comedic cautionary verses about unexplored worlds so far beyond our solar system. The final poem is an environmental tour de force that packs a wallop. Here are poems the older reader will find great fun to memorize and rattle off to anyone who will listen! And there is a special anagrams for the kid who loves word puzzles.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2009
About the author
Jack Prelutsky
154 books238 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 42 reviews
June 24, 2009
This is a fantastic book of science fiction poems with terrific illustrations, which can be enjoyed equally by boys and girls. I’d recommend the book for 9 to 12 year olds, but these poems are fun for adults and children of other ages too. Kids who normally don’t appreciate poetry might very well enjoy these poems.
These poems take place in not so friendly worlds. They’re deliciously scary and very funny.
I love the “extras” including how the author has footnotes about how to pronounce the names of fictional planets and how some of the planet names have an asterisk and those names have a word or phrase anagram quiz with answers in the back of the book, with many hints via the poems on those pages.
The last alien planet chosen provides both amusement and a commentary on ecosystems and the environment.
This is such a fun book!
These poems take place in not so friendly worlds. They’re deliciously scary and very funny.
I love the “extras” including how the author has footnotes about how to pronounce the names of fictional planets and how some of the planet names have an asterisk and those names have a word or phrase anagram quiz with answers in the back of the book, with many hints via the poems on those pages.
The last alien planet chosen provides both amusement and a commentary on ecosystems and the environment.
This is such a fun book!
October 28, 2015
This one is even less original than the other book of his I reviewed "My Dog May Be a Genius." Same staid rhyming schemes, same not so funniness. Each poem is about a type of creature from some planet, not even different sorts of science fiction tales. Really ordinary.
March 15, 2018
The Swamps of Sleethe: Poems from beyond the solar system (Anthology) is a collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky. He wrote different poems about what might be in our universe, beyond Earth. Some of these poems talk about weather, different creatures, animals, emotions and nature just to name a few. This book also includes anagrams (the made up planet names) that the students can try to unscramble as an interesting element of the book. Students will be able to get lost in the creative aspects of each poem, creating mind-movies about what everything would look like and the humorous moments that arise in the poems.
The illustrations in the book are amazing. They are colorful and captivating. Some illustrations for a poem are extremely detailed. Each paged is filled with colors and those colors go well with the emotion of each poem. For example, one poem was discussing sadness and the colors were black and blue while another was happy and the illustrator used reds and oranges. Readers can easily get lost in illustrations as well.
This book is recommended for grades 3-6; however, it might be challenging for some students due to the vocabulary that was chosen. For example he used words like ‘unremitting’, ‘suffused’, ‘vile’ and ‘paramecium’ just to name a few. This is a great poetry book to teach about imagination and how one can write about any topic they wish too. This book has some rhyming so it showcases that element of poetry for students. A teacher can use this poetry book if they are teaching about rhyming words at a higher level. I found this book because Jack Prelutsky was in the Poetry Foundation: Children’s Poet Laureate from 2006-2008. It also was the Golden Duck Award for Picture Book (2010).
The illustrations in the book are amazing. They are colorful and captivating. Some illustrations for a poem are extremely detailed. Each paged is filled with colors and those colors go well with the emotion of each poem. For example, one poem was discussing sadness and the colors were black and blue while another was happy and the illustrator used reds and oranges. Readers can easily get lost in illustrations as well.
This book is recommended for grades 3-6; however, it might be challenging for some students due to the vocabulary that was chosen. For example he used words like ‘unremitting’, ‘suffused’, ‘vile’ and ‘paramecium’ just to name a few. This is a great poetry book to teach about imagination and how one can write about any topic they wish too. This book has some rhyming so it showcases that element of poetry for students. A teacher can use this poetry book if they are teaching about rhyming words at a higher level. I found this book because Jack Prelutsky was in the Poetry Foundation: Children’s Poet Laureate from 2006-2008. It also was the Golden Duck Award for Picture Book (2010).
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January 8, 2026Each poem is about an alien planet, and specifically, about the form of horrible death any visitors will suffer. Make no mistake: these are violent, brutal little poems.
Do not come here looking for Edward Gorey's archness, Lemony Snicket's melodrama, Jon Klassen's deadpan, or Shel Silverstein's sense of mischief. Don't even come looking for jokes. No, these poems are relentlessly straightforward: the grammar precise, the illustrations dark, and the poetic meter so orderly you could march to it.
In a surprise twist on its final page, the book veers from "supremely dark" to "even darker," as the last poem casts its eye on the horrors of Earth, declaring it the most gruesome planet of all:
I've always felt Prelutsky's poetry was pretty staid and conservative. Silly, yes, but in a predictable, buttoned-up, teacher-approved kind of way.
I see now how wrong I was.
So if your young child wants to imagine a series of ugly deaths, organized in rhyming couplets, unleavened by irony, and culminating in a blanket condemnation of human civilization: good news! The U.S. Children's Poet Laureate has just the book for you.
Your bones are icy splinters,
And your blood solidifies.
Your flesh becomes so frigid
It begins to crystallize.
Do not come here looking for Edward Gorey's archness, Lemony Snicket's melodrama, Jon Klassen's deadpan, or Shel Silverstein's sense of mischief. Don't even come looking for jokes. No, these poems are relentlessly straightforward: the grammar precise, the illustrations dark, and the poetic meter so orderly you could march to it.
The leaves softly weave evil garlands
To snare you and choke off your breath.
The trees may crash downward and crush you--
There is naught in the forests but death.
In a surprise twist on its final page, the book veers from "supremely dark" to "even darker," as the last poem casts its eye on the horrors of Earth, declaring it the most gruesome planet of all:
The [alien] explorers
Were appalled by all they saw--
The unremitting plunder,
And the small regard for law.
There was carnage, chaos, callousness,
Brutality and greed,
Unthinkable indifference
To the plight of those in need.
They saw suffering and hunger
On a scale they'd never faced.
The air was fouled with poisons,
Rivers ran with toxic waste.
I've always felt Prelutsky's poetry was pretty staid and conservative. Silly, yes, but in a predictable, buttoned-up, teacher-approved kind of way.
I see now how wrong I was.
So if your young child wants to imagine a series of ugly deaths, organized in rhyming couplets, unleavened by irony, and culminating in a blanket condemnation of human civilization: good news! The U.S. Children's Poet Laureate has just the book for you.
June 2, 2019
In this 2010 Golden Duck Award author Jack Prelutsky and illustrator Jimmy Pickering take the reader through a journey to various fictional planets, describing each one and its inhabitants in a thoroughly terrifying way. Each planet the reader visits is written as a separate poem, complete with rhyme and an exquisite use of vocabulary that allows the reader to visualize the experience. For example on the World of Thade "you have a raging fever, and a paroxysmal chill, as in a deep delirium you writhe against your will" (pg. 26). This text employs characteristics of high fantasy as it takes place in a created secondary world and may the character in the poems becomes afraid of the unknown (Temple, Martinez, and Yokota, 2019, pg. 216).
This text would be appropriate for use with upper elementary and middle school students, with scaffolding and strategic instruction of vocabulary. It could also be used to teach elements such as rhyme and other literary devices such as simile and metaphor and could serve as a mentor text in which students then write their own poem.
This text would be appropriate for use with upper elementary and middle school students, with scaffolding and strategic instruction of vocabulary. It could also be used to teach elements such as rhyme and other literary devices such as simile and metaphor and could serve as a mentor text in which students then write their own poem.
June 15, 2017
If you can't tell by the number of shelves I've included this book in, I love it! This book is full of tons of short stories about different alien-monster types that can be found all throughout the galaxy! Full of AMAZING double page spreads, and mostly primary colors, this book's illustrations sure stand out and really make things interesting! I loved the imagination that radiates throughout.
I would use this book for so many different reasons. I loved the names of the planets were scrambled, and by unscrambling, you would discover different aspects of the planet! After reading, I would want students to complete an art project where they come up with their own new planet full of interesting creatures. Here they could try to mimic the word scrambling and add neat secret facts about their created planets.
I would use this book for so many different reasons. I loved the names of the planets were scrambled, and by unscrambling, you would discover different aspects of the planet! After reading, I would want students to complete an art project where they come up with their own new planet full of interesting creatures. Here they could try to mimic the word scrambling and add neat secret facts about their created planets.
June 14, 2017
The Swamps of Sleethe explores a world largely unknown to even the most intelligent scientists: outer space. While this book explains concepts of space that we do know about it also provides an exercise in imagination. By showing children illustrations of worlds unknown Jack Prelutsky prompts them to think beyond what we know and encourages imagination and originality.
November 7, 2018
Poetry
5th-6th grade reading level
I thought this book was a little spooky at times. At one point it was talking about demons in a poem so I thought that was a little too dark. However it contained good rhymes, and would make a good read-aloud if only select poems were read out of it. I like some of the poems in this book because they use bigger vocabulary words and it still flows really well.
5th-6th grade reading level
I thought this book was a little spooky at times. At one point it was talking about demons in a poem so I thought that was a little too dark. However it contained good rhymes, and would make a good read-aloud if only select poems were read out of it. I like some of the poems in this book because they use bigger vocabulary words and it still flows really well.
April 22, 2019
Poetry
3rd-5th grade
I really enjoyed these poems about our solar system and thought they were fun! They were very creative, and I enjoyed reading the funny descriptions of what each planet was like. It was unique and I think students will enjoy the fun poems that describe what each planet is like in a fun way.
3rd-5th grade
I really enjoyed these poems about our solar system and thought they were fun! They were very creative, and I enjoyed reading the funny descriptions of what each planet was like. It was unique and I think students will enjoy the fun poems that describe what each planet is like in a fun way.
September 20, 2017
I like children's books, poems, science fiction, and dark humor. I mostly did not like this book though. The concept was great, the illustrations were good, but the poems were just too uniformly dark.
October 27, 2017
This book of poems is all about a galaxy with weird, scary planets: 19 poems describe places and creatures you wouldn't want to visit. Each page is designated to a different planet and a scary poem.
All kids would love this book!
All kids would love this book!
March 28, 2019
4th-6th grade
Genre: Poetry
This poetry book is much darker than the other ones I have read. This would be appropriate for older children. I could see this catching the attention of students who enjoy thrillers and mysteries.
Genre: Poetry
This poetry book is much darker than the other ones I have read. This would be appropriate for older children. I could see this catching the attention of students who enjoy thrillers and mysteries.
April 18, 2021
Genre: Poetry
Age Range: Middle Grade
This is a funky poem book about aliens in the solar system. Even though it is funky it is also very clever because some kids love talking about aliens and stuff like that. So mixing aliens and poems together is a perfect combination.
Age Range: Middle Grade
This is a funky poem book about aliens in the solar system. Even though it is funky it is also very clever because some kids love talking about aliens and stuff like that. So mixing aliens and poems together is a perfect combination.
August 17, 2020
A little dark for a kids book, but most of the poems were very well written and worded. That last one though - sad, but true.
August 31, 2021
Clever collection of poems with a great message at the end too
March 9, 2011
Prelutsky, Jack (2009). The Swamps of Sleethe: Poems from Beyond the Solar System. J. Pickering. New York: Alfred A. Knopf (an imprint of Random House Children’s Books).
Literary Genre: Poetry (Picture Book)
This space themed collection of poetry will take you on a journey to undiscovered planets beyond our solar system. While the poems exhibit Jack Prelutsky’s humorous flair, the warning nature of poems are a little darker in tone than his other works to suit the maturity level of older students. The colorful illustrations were created using mixed media, which appeals to older children and adds another dimension to the space themed poems. Prelutsky invites readers to interact with the poetry with a fun bonus feature; many of the planets’ names are anagrams that need to be translated into a descriptive English word.
I really enjoyed the quirky illustrations and the somewhat spooky verses about the wild creatures and vegetation that lurk on these undiscovered planets. The Swamps of Sleethe captured my attention because it is a collection of poetry that could spark school-aged boys’ interest in poetry. It is critical for educators, parents, and others working with children find interesting reading materials (such as this) to motivate boys that are resistant to reading. The descriptive language in the poems lends itself for plenty of uses in the classroom, such as enriching vocabulary, discussing prose, word choice, voice, mini-lessons on developing setting, and much more.
Literary Genre: Poetry (Picture Book)
This space themed collection of poetry will take you on a journey to undiscovered planets beyond our solar system. While the poems exhibit Jack Prelutsky’s humorous flair, the warning nature of poems are a little darker in tone than his other works to suit the maturity level of older students. The colorful illustrations were created using mixed media, which appeals to older children and adds another dimension to the space themed poems. Prelutsky invites readers to interact with the poetry with a fun bonus feature; many of the planets’ names are anagrams that need to be translated into a descriptive English word.
I really enjoyed the quirky illustrations and the somewhat spooky verses about the wild creatures and vegetation that lurk on these undiscovered planets. The Swamps of Sleethe captured my attention because it is a collection of poetry that could spark school-aged boys’ interest in poetry. It is critical for educators, parents, and others working with children find interesting reading materials (such as this) to motivate boys that are resistant to reading. The descriptive language in the poems lends itself for plenty of uses in the classroom, such as enriching vocabulary, discussing prose, word choice, voice, mini-lessons on developing setting, and much more.
March 24, 2014
This book of sci-fi poetry take us around the solar system to imaginary planets, each one uninhabitable and sure to bring you to your doom and/or despair. These ominous poems are accompanied by darker still illustrations. Though dark, these poems offer clever rhymes and great vocabulary exposure, both scientific and highly academic. The final poem is a dark premonition of our own dark and dying planet, which can spark an interesting conversation. The overall message that I got out of it, was that we need to take care of our planet because others will not be an option.
My favorite poem is the one where we won’t perish in the end but rather morph into a tree, never able to roam free again. It was the kind of anguish that was much more tolerable than the other planets had to offer me. I found it hard to enjoy the dark themes in each poem, but I enjoyed the rich language and the clever rhymes that the author managed to compose. These poems reminded me of the ever gloomy mood of Edgar Allen Poe.
The waters of wonthoo wasn’t terribly dismal either. On this planet you shrink until you evaporate, the imagery is rich and the scientific terms were plentiful. It is a great way to get the attention of the young learners and spark a curiosity for the microscopic world.
My favorite poem is the one where we won’t perish in the end but rather morph into a tree, never able to roam free again. It was the kind of anguish that was much more tolerable than the other planets had to offer me. I found it hard to enjoy the dark themes in each poem, but I enjoyed the rich language and the clever rhymes that the author managed to compose. These poems reminded me of the ever gloomy mood of Edgar Allen Poe.
The waters of wonthoo wasn’t terribly dismal either. On this planet you shrink until you evaporate, the imagery is rich and the scientific terms were plentiful. It is a great way to get the attention of the young learners and spark a curiosity for the microscopic world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2009
This was the book I got at the Tattered Cover’s Book Lover’s Day celebration on 4/23. It caught my eye on their National Poetry Month display. My favorite book by Jack Prelutsky is The Headless Horseman Rides Tonight: More Poems to Trouble Your Sleep, but this one may be a close 2nd. The Swamps of Sleethe takes you on a poetic journey through a galaxy far from our own and one that you will soon find that you need to stay far away from.
On sweltering Sleethe, in swamps aseethe,
Malignant beings thrive,
Abhorrent things that need not breathe,
and yet are quite alive .
Within a foul and festering broth,
These mucid horrors ooze.
As gluey fluids fume and froth,
They hold their rendezvous.
I also loved the vibrant alien illustrations of Jimmy Pickering. As an added bonus some of the planet names in the poems are anagrams for you to unscramble (and I thought a couple of them were a bit tricky).
Great inspiration for those poetic souls who like to rhyme.
On sweltering Sleethe, in swamps aseethe,
Malignant beings thrive,
Abhorrent things that need not breathe,
and yet are quite alive .
Within a foul and festering broth,
These mucid horrors ooze.
As gluey fluids fume and froth,
They hold their rendezvous.
I also loved the vibrant alien illustrations of Jimmy Pickering. As an added bonus some of the planet names in the poems are anagrams for you to unscramble (and I thought a couple of them were a bit tricky).
Great inspiration for those poetic souls who like to rhyme.
February 14, 2013
is quite possibly my favorite book of children's poems that I have come across so far! Written by the poetic genius Jack Prelutsky, this book takes you on a journey across the "solar system", stopping to visit some planets that you just might not have heard of before. The only problem with that is that every planet and poem in the book is filled with creatures or other hazards that don't leave the visitors in such good shape!
This book is definitely geared towards boys, with each poem ending in the demise of the reader (had they actually gone there), and I think that is a great idea as this book could get more males into poetry at a young age, which is usually a genre that boys tend to steer clear of. This book of poems is probably geared a little more towards older readers, as it might actually be a little bit scary for some early elementary grades, maybe 2nd grade and up.
This book is definitely geared towards boys, with each poem ending in the demise of the reader (had they actually gone there), and I think that is a great idea as this book could get more males into poetry at a young age, which is usually a genre that boys tend to steer clear of. This book of poems is probably geared a little more towards older readers, as it might actually be a little bit scary for some early elementary grades, maybe 2nd grade and up.
February 23, 2015
The Swamps of Sleethe by jack Prelutsky
This is a science fiction poetry book. Jack Prelutsky describes what is beyond each planet with places and creatures you would not to visit. On planet Lonithor, you would find the demon birds with seven set of wings and their hunger is insatiable. Through 19 poems, Jack Prelutsky takes children from third grade and up into an intergalactic odyssey not seen before. The author used a type of word play, anagrams, to rearrange the letters of a word or phrases to create new words or phrases. For example, Jack came with the word Fesstor from forests, and the word Ogdofod for dog food. Some poems sound confused but as you get used to the writer’s style, you really enjoy this unique way of telling information about the solar system accompanied with exceptional pictures.
This is a science fiction poetry book. Jack Prelutsky describes what is beyond each planet with places and creatures you would not to visit. On planet Lonithor, you would find the demon birds with seven set of wings and their hunger is insatiable. Through 19 poems, Jack Prelutsky takes children from third grade and up into an intergalactic odyssey not seen before. The author used a type of word play, anagrams, to rearrange the letters of a word or phrases to create new words or phrases. For example, Jack came with the word Fesstor from forests, and the word Ogdofod for dog food. Some poems sound confused but as you get used to the writer’s style, you really enjoy this unique way of telling information about the solar system accompanied with exceptional pictures.
July 1, 2009
Prelutsky, Jack The Swamps of Sleethe, 40 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers; Language~G, Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG
This newest collection of poetry from Jack Prelutsky screams to be read aloud especially to boys! It is full of ghastly planets that all have some creature waiting to participate in your demise or at least your transformation and imprisonment on their planet! In addition to clever readable poetry Prelutsky has also challenged readers to figure out the word puzzle that accompanies most poems. With the unfortunate demise of most of the people in the poem, this book may not be for all readers, but I would recommend it for older elementary kids and middle school students!
Upper ELM/MS. ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
This newest collection of poetry from Jack Prelutsky screams to be read aloud especially to boys! It is full of ghastly planets that all have some creature waiting to participate in your demise or at least your transformation and imprisonment on their planet! In addition to clever readable poetry Prelutsky has also challenged readers to figure out the word puzzle that accompanies most poems. With the unfortunate demise of most of the people in the poem, this book may not be for all readers, but I would recommend it for older elementary kids and middle school students!
Upper ELM/MS. ESSENTIAL Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
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June 8, 2016This set of poems takes place in space where aliens are visiting various planets. Not only do you read about these make-believe areas, there are certain words scramble that you can try to figure out! Eventually you get to Earth (or what is considered Earth) and the aliens are sad about finding that this planet has essentially destroyed itself.
Mixed media was used to incorporate images into the poetry provided,
I think this book would be fun for kids who don't like reading much. So for a peotry unit I may read one of the poems and then leave it out for kids to pick up. It could also be a transition book into sustainability because of the last poem.
Mixed media was used to incorporate images into the poetry provided,
I think this book would be fun for kids who don't like reading much. So for a peotry unit I may read one of the poems and then leave it out for kids to pick up. It could also be a transition book into sustainability because of the last poem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 11, 2011This book of poems takes the reader on a trip through many strange worlds and their stranger inhabitants. From the bugs of Gub to the demon birds of Lonithor, the cartoonish illustrations and simple rhyme schemes are sure to keep most children entertained, while setting their minds spinning on imaginary worlds all their own. Though the final poem in the book seems to spin off with a bit of an agenda, lamenting the environmental practices of earth, this collection is otherwise a jumble of harmless fun.
April 6, 2009
I came across this book in my search to find poetry anthologies that some of the boys in my sixth grade class would enjoy. If you're a teacher, these poems are great for reading aloud, and for introducing many different poetic devices. (Alliteration, personification, assonance, consonance, metaphor/simile, etc.) The poems also have great vocabulary and introduce kids to new words in ways that make them want to go look them up in the dictionary.
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May 7, 2009Poems about the dangers of visiting outer space. One review I read recommended it for the budding sci fi fan. Full of dark humor and anagrams. More appropriate for older elementary and possibly middle school kids. Might do for a lesson on anagrams. Really great illustrations. The final poem adds our own planet to the dangerous places of the universe that a traveler might choose to avoid.
October 27, 2009
This is the perfect book for the space enthusiast, but what is even cooler, this book will pull in the child who has never really thought about space before! the poems are hilarious, and the illustrations, Mr. Pickering, are out-of-this world! (I know; bad pun)
I am always looking for a way to entice the child who turns up his nose at poetry to "just try it"; this book will help IMMENSELY!
I am always looking for a way to entice the child who turns up his nose at poetry to "just try it"; this book will help IMMENSELY!
September 11, 2012
This book a poems takes you on a journey beyond our solar system. Jack Prelutsky introduces you to different planets and different creatures, the ones that will kill you! This is a good read aloud for 4th to 5th graders. The illustrations are colorful and lend an image to what Jack Prelutsky is trying to create in his poetry.
June 4, 2016
This is not your average book of poetry. This book describes different planets and the dangerous things that can happen on each one. Each poem is highly imaginative and constructed with impressive and uncommon words. Mixed media illustrations provide simple visuals for these complex poems. This book would be excellent in a poetry unit, especially to interest students who may not favor poetry.
April 26, 2017
I love this book! Science fiction poems, great stuff. Prelutsky has a way with words. Jimmy Pickering's illustrations are perfect for the subject. I think "The Beholder in Silence" was the eeriest poem. I just love his imagination. I must order a copy of this book for my library!
April 17, 2011
Each poem is about an imaginary planet, that is freezing, full of poisonous plants, creatures that want to eat humans by turning them into powdered seasoning, and many others. The rhymes were fun to read, my 7 year old enjoyed the silliness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews