behold the bold umbrellaphant: and other poems written and narrated by jack prelutsky

Prelutsky, Jack. Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant: and Other Poems, Illustrated by Carin Berger. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2006. ISBN: 978-0060543174 (AISN: B005MQJOJ0)

Critical Analysis:

     Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant is a compilation of seventeen poems in which the author, Jack Prelutsky, incorporates plethora usage of puns, as well as incorporating the basic structural criteria and standard elements that poetry entails. The basis of this compilation is centered on the question, “What do you get when you cross a ____ with a ____?” Each poem included within this compilation crosses an animal with a random object and Prelutsky answers these questions with his clever usage of puns. For example, in the poem titled “Shoehornets,” he states that when you cross a shoe horn with a hornet, a shoehornet is the outcome. Preceding the outcome, the author presents what it is that each species does by combining the properties of the object and the nature of the animal. In “Shoehornets,” the author states that “shoe hornets make it easier for you to put on shoes,”-- just as a shoehorn does; “but when they do…they sting,”-- just as a hornet does.

      In the audio version of this title, Prelutsky collaborates with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra to add a musical inclusion to his poetry. During the readings of his poems, the orchestra plays in the background and adds elements of suspense and excitement as they use their instruments in conjunction with the flow of the poem. In the book version and the audio-version of this title, Prelutsky provides his audience with a myriad of poetic and artistic elements.

Spotlight Poem:

"Shoehornets"

SHOEHORNETS make it easier

For you to put on shoes.

They quickly slide

Your feet inside.

You can, of course, refuse.

And that is what you’d better do,

For you should know one thing –

It’s true they choose

To help with shoes,

But when they do…they sting!

                                 - Jack Prelutsky

Connections:

• Before reading the poem, have children guess what animal and objects were combined to create each title. 
• Have children create their own animal/object cross species, and allow them to describe them by using the elements of the object and the actions of the animal.