It's Raining Pigs and Noodles

Prelutsky sets selected poems to music in this playfully performed collection. He uses a variety of cheerful, folksy instruments, such as banjo, mandolin, and penny whistle, to augment his pleasant vocals, which bring to mind Pete Seeger's work. Prelutsky's verses are uniquely his own, though, and quite unpredictable. Listeners join him in many adventures--from chasing dragons to misbehaving while parents have the flu. "Perhaps I'll make a mudpie in my sister's stupid hat/attach my mother's earrings to the puppy and the cat." There's a harmonica-backed hiccup number and others about raising a virtual chicken and refusing to eat something disgusting. They're all bound to entertain kids and adults alike. Prelutsky's upbeat music and exuberant wordplay are sure to delight and invigorate his listeners. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

March 14, 2005
The team behind The New Kid on the Block
offers a bounteous volume of verse. In a starred review, PW
said, "The reigning czars of silliness are back. Hats off to these two glorious goofballs!" Ages 5-up.

August 1, 2008
K-Gr 5-Jack Prelutsky has set to music and performs 28 of his poems from the book of the same title (Greenwillow Press, 2000). Humorous throughout, there is a lot of variety, both in the poetry and in the music. Some of the pieces are nonsensical, such as the title poem that lists many ridiculous items it could pour instead of rain. There are funny story poems such as "I Chased a Dragon Through the Woods," and thoughtful poems such as "Plooters" which sarcastically admonishes those who "don't care, we make messes everywhere." And of course there are his exuberant wordplays, like "Is Traffic Jam Delectable?" Prelutsky perfectly matches the tone of each poem with the style of music, ranging from blues to bluegrass. With a wide assortment of accompanying instruments (mandolin, banjo, violin, guitar, harmonica and clarinet), some of the songs have a Celtic, Mexican, or Eastern European flavor. The poem titles are printed on the CD only, making it impossible to read them while listening. A great way to introduce children to poetry or to enliven a poetry unit."Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.