Poetry Break - New Poetry Book

In Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden

by Jack Prelutsky

Introduction

Introduce children to the work of our Children’s Poet Laureate in this volume of “smiles and silliness.” Since many of the poems mention cities or states across the US, as you share each one, plot the place referenced on a map of North America.

In La Jolla, California

In La Jolla, California

Susu sat upon the sand,

Watching with a sense of wonder

How the water washed the land.

Susu saw, above the ocean,

Pelicans in graceful flight.

In La Jolla, California,

Susu laughed with great delight.

Extension

Perhaps your town or state has a “claim to fame” that would make a good subject for a silly poem. Try composing one together as a group or suggest children create a picture illustrating a local landmark or activity.

Don’t forget the companion volume, The Frog Wore Red Suspenders, published in 2002, and also illustrated by Petra Mathers.

Prelutsky, Jack and Petra Mathers. 2007. In Aunt Giraffe’s Green Garden. New York: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.

-----. 2002. The Frog Wore Red Suspenders. New York: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.