Stardines Swim High Across the Sky

Starred review from December 24, 2012
In a similar vein to his Scranimals (2002), Prelutsky presents hybrid creatures with attributes produced by altering or adding a single letter in their names: “The gloose may be the weirdest bird/ That ever took to wing./ It has an odd propensity/ To stick to anything.” A sobcat “spends its time crying/ Continuously,” while “Jollyfish are radiant/ Ebullient blobs of mirth.” Prelutsky’s fake-pompous verse is as clever as ever, and Berger’s artwork is its visual equivalent. She creates spectacular three-dimensional papercraft boxes and collages in the manner of Joseph Cornell, labeling the wooden frames with old-fashioned, typewritten stickers. The glooses’ tiny feathers are cut carefully from paper, while magpipes are assembled from engraved images of plucked poultry and brass piping; streamers of paper emblazoned with musical notes curl from the pipes—a witty representation of sound. The poems are typewritten on scraps of paper and mounted with butterfly pins. The whole has the feel of a vintage science project by the weirdest (and most imaginative) kid in class. The zoology may be suspect, but the laughs are guaranteed. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

February 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Prelutsky has created unusual creatures through odd pairings of usual things, and crossing stars and sardines is just one interesting idea he explores: "In giant schools, their brilliant lights/Illuminate the darkest nights." Sixteen short poems each focus on an animal with a surprise twist. "Slobsters" are a mess and "Plandas" think things out to a fault. Some selections, like "Jollyfish," focus on a creature's personality, while others, like "Gloose," deal more with physical traits or habits, like "Panteater." The singsong rhymes are clever, and the collage art, created by combining cut paper and found objects, brings the book to life. These creatures are entertaining by themselves but also could make terrific inspiration for children interested in coming up with their own imaginary animals.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2013
Prelutsky and Berger are back with 16 new specimens of poem and collage, meticulously rendered to excite and amuse. After traveling the globe for creatures of animal and inanimate origin, the master of verse returns to share his discoveries. Procrastinating pandas, self-adhering geese and cacophonous magpies are a few of the carefully selected creatures on display for readers' enjoyment. Budding naturalists will relish the details both author and illustrator offer. From the dour to the delightful, Prelutsky describes each creature in detail, packing each line with punchy playfulness: "JOLLYFISH are radiant, / Ebullient blobs of mirth, / With merry dispositions / From the moment of their birth. / ... / Their humor is infectious, / And as aimlessly they drift, / Their buoyant effervescence / Gives the neighborhood a lift." Berger's cleverly designed assemblages--created from ephemera and digitally manipulated vintage etchings--offer the wonder and fascination of a curio shop. Her dioramas in particular, with their steampunk aesthetic, lend an aura of authenticity to these eclectic creatures. Whimsy takes flight in this humorous collection. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)

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December 1, 2012
Grades 1-5 In Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant (2006), Prelutsky and Berger combined forces to delight with uproarious poems about animals crossed with inanimate objects. Here they continue their zoological compendium, adding animals infused with personality traits ( SLOBSTERS are slovenly, / SLOBSTERS are crude. / SLOBSTERS love mashing / And smushing their food; PLANDAS sit around all day, / Planning what to do ). Prelutsky offers a wide variety of form and meter, and the poems consistently bounce with the rhythmic vitality and sparkling surprise we have come to expect from him. Each poem enjoys a two-page spread, illuminated in Berger's three-dimensional dioramas built of carefully cut paper and found objects and decorated with pins and tags and other trappings of scientific specimen cases. Poet and artist clearly share a comic sensibility (witness the JOLLYFISH's dentures), and their partnership bears symbiotic fruit. Adults will have great success sharing these poems with groups, but it won't be long before kids are reading them to one another. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Prelutsky is poetry royalty, and teachers and librarians will be eager to share his latest.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)