Listen Up to Audiobooks May 2007
By Lisa Von Drasek

For Lisa Von Drasek's latest article Fantastic Summer Reading click here

An all-star cast of musicians joins Jack Prelutsky, the first Children's Poet Laureate of the United States, in presenting his verses in song and recitation on three new CD releases. Harmonica, steel guitar, banjo and percussion give these recordings the feeling of a poetry hootenanny. These audios contain the dramatic phrasing and the just plain silly topics that are the hallmarks of Prelutsky's work.

Something Big Has Been Here, Selected poems written and performed by Jack Prelutsky, (HarperAudio, 2007, ISBN: 0-061-35942-4, 1 CD, $14.95, ages 4-12).

A rich treasury of Prelutsky's signature humorous verses is collected here. A variety of musical styles are employed as we skip swiftly from poem to poem. "I Am Growing a Glorious Garden Resplendent with Trumpets and Flutes" is richly embedded with the sounds of all the instruments mentioned. The poems' titles are listed by track on the disc so that one could return to an old favorite or cue up for a class. "We're Four Ferocious Tigers" - about a pack of cats who claim they only eat spaghetti - is a perfect example of the absurd humor contained in this edition.

Also newly released on CD are two other Prelutsky classics, The New Kid On The Block (HarperAudio, ISBN: 0-061-35943-2, 1 CD, $14.95, ages 4-12) and A Pizza the Size of the Sun (HarperAudio, 2007, ISBN: 0-061-35945-9, 1 CD, $14.95, ages 4-12). The latter contains our students' favorite, "Rats for Lunch," set to a dark, rhythmic, thumping beat. The title poem is a joyous celebration, and students will enjoy singing along with the catchy chorus.

Practice Makes Perfect for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos, read by the author (Live Oak Media, 2007, ISBN: 1-595-19926-8, 1 hardcover book, 1 CD, $28.95, ages 4-8). This read-along set is the second in the "Rotten Ralph" easy readers series. Ralph, Sarah and cousin Percy are excited about going to the carnival. Ralph, as usual, has a little trouble following the rules of the games.

For Lisa Von Drasek's latest article Fantastic Summer Reading click here

Lisa Von Drasek is Children's Librarian at the Bank Street College of Education in New York, NY.

May, 2007, Vol.37, No.8