Poetry Book Review #5

Prelutsky, Jack. 2007. Good sports: Rhymes about running, jumping, throwing, and more. Ill. by Chris Raschka. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

In his newest book of original poetry, Jack Prelutsky peers into the world of sports in an unusual and creative way. The poetry in Good Sports: Rhymes about Running, Jumping, Throwing, and More reveals Prelutsky’s perspective on this universal hobby. He shows that sports are fun and exciting no matter if you win or lose, or if you have great talent or not.

Prelutsky makes his unique voice resonate through sports poems that range in topic from Frisbee and karate to football and soccer. This Poet Laureate displays his personality in the untitled poems included in his newest poetry book. Jack Prelutsky has a unique way of describing these sports experiences that captures the feelings associated with the particular event or circumstance. He uses language and sports vocabulary creatively in his book:

I concentrate, then let it go…

I know it’s good- I know, I know.

It makes an arc, I make a wish,

Then hear the soft, sweet sound of SWISH!

(no page number)

Sports are precious and intriguing to most males; however, Prelutsky includes sports like softball and gymnastics which appeal to girls too. The poems are universal and would be a great accessory to a unit on the Olympics or to begin a physical education class. Girls and boys, along with readers of all ages will be able to enjoy the humorous, playful and rhyming poetry describing experiences in the arena of sports.

Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka incorporates his one-of-a-kind illustrations to accompany Prelutsky’s text. The illustrations compliment the words in such a way that the reader is given a visual image to go along with their own mental picture of the poetry. The text and illustration placement enhance the design, feel and experience of Prelutsky’s poems.

Readers will find it hard to choose just one favorite out of this collection of Jack Prelutsky’s poems. Here is one of my many favorites:

My friend and I play Frisbee

In the summer in the park.

I flip the Frisbee to her,

It describes a graceful arc.

She runs and tries to catch it,

And I watch her miss and fall-

We both like playing Frisbee,

Though we aren’t good at all.

(no page number)