Jack Prelutsky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Prelutsky
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at the Library of Congress in 2007
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| Born | September 7, 1940 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Language | English |
| Education | The High School of Music & Art Hunter College |
| Genre | Children's poetry |
| Notable awards | U.S. Children's Poet Laureate (2006) (Poetry Foundation) Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award (2007) (Washington State Book Award) |
| Spouse | Carolynn Prelutsky |
Jack Prelutsky, born on September 8, 1940, is a famous American poet. He writes many poems especially for children. He has published over 50 books of poetry!
From 2006 to 2008, he was the very first U.S. Children's Poet Laureate. This special title is now called the Young People's Poet Laureate. The Poetry Foundation created this award to honor great poets for young people.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jack Prelutsky was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Charles Prelutsky, was an electrician. His mother, Dorothea Prelutsky, was a homemaker.
He went to public schools in the Bronx. Jack often felt bored in class. He even said he used to dislike poetry. He once shared that a teacher who didn't like poetry taught him not to like it either.
Discovering Music and Art
Teachers soon noticed Jack had musical talents. They suggested he attend The High School of Music & Art. He loved it there! He trained his singing voice and performed in musicals.
After graduating in 1958, he went to Hunter College. He studied there for two years. However, he struggled with English and eventually left college.
Before Becoming a Poet
Before he became a writer, Jack worked many different jobs. He drove a taxi, moved furniture, and worked as a busboy. He was also a potter, a woodworker, and a door-to-door salesman.
In the late 1960s, he worked in a bookstore. He also sang in coffeehouses under the name Jack Ballard. During this time, he met and became friends with the famous musician Bob Dylan. Dylan even said Jack sounded like a mix of Woody Guthrie and Enrico Caruso.
How Poetry Began
Jack loved to draw imaginary turtle animals. A friend encouraged him to send his drawings to a publisher. At the last minute, he wrote some poems to go with the pictures.
He met with an editor named Susan Hirschman. Jack was surprised when they wanted his work. They were interested in the poems, which took him only two hours to write. He had spent six months on the drawings!
Jack was 24 years old at the time. His first book, A Gopher in the Garden and Other Animal Poems, came out in 1967. Susan Hirschman told him he was a natural poet. She remained his editor for 37 years until she retired.
Jack Prelutsky's Poetry
Jack Prelutsky has written more than 50 collections of poems. Some of his well-known books include Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976) and It's Halloween (1977). Other popular titles are The Mean Old Mean Hyena (1978) and Something BIG Has Been Here (1990).
He has also put together many children's anthologies. These books feature poems written by other poets.
Music and Television
Jack often sets his poems to music. He sings and plays guitar on the audio versions of his books.
In 1996, he appeared on the popular animated TV show Arthur. He was in an episode called "I'm a Poet."
Awards and Recognition
In 2006, the Poetry Foundation named Jack Prelutsky the first Children's Poet Laureate. This was a big honor!
His book Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems won an award in 2007. It received the Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award. This award is part of the Washington State Book Awards.
In 1993, his poetry collection The New Kid on the Block became an interactive storybook. It was part of Brøderbund's Living Books series.
Jack Prelutsky has received many awards throughout his career. His books have sold over a million copies. They have also been translated into many different languages.
In 2018, his poem "Homework! Oh, Homework!" was featured in a national commercial. It was for Apple's iPad.
