Module 9: My Dog May Be a Genius

My Dog May Be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky

Book Summary:

This book is a collection of silly, witty, and hilarious poems by Jack Prelutsky. The illustrations by James Stevenson only add to delightful experience. Some are short and sweet, others are long and captivating, but all of them are sure to make you smile.

APA Reference of Book:

Prelutsky, J. (2008). My dog may be a genius. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Impressions:

I was smiling and laughing through this entire book! The illustrations and poems work well together. Children will love how silly and outrageous these poems are. I love that some concrete poems were included which really makes reading exciting. I think this is a great book to get kids hooked on reading poems. Usually when I think of poems, I flash back to my high school days where I was forced to memorize a very lengthy poem and then recite it to the whole class. Awful, just awful. Making kids memorize and recite poems that they do not like or care about ruins poetry for them. Jack Prelutsky’s poems show how fun and hilarious poetry can be. My Dog May Be a Genius reminds us that poetry does not have to be super complicated or have hidden meanings in every line. Sometimes poems can be exactly what they say and do not need any explanation. They can just be fun.

Professional Review:

“Two grand masters team up to produce a decidedly goofy illustrated poetry anthology. Prelutsky, who must surely dream in iambs, so plentifully do they fall from his pen, offers some 100 plus poems on subjects varying from pets to imaginary beasties. He’s totally cued in to childish solipsism: Just about half of the poems begin with “I” or “my.” Stevenson’s quick pen-and-ink vignettes appear equally effortless, lumpy elephants and hapless children staring benignly from the page. Some of the poems, in form or in wordplay, are unquestionably inspired. “The Call of the Longwinded Clumsy Owl” consists of one word—“WHOOPS”—rendered with enough intervening Os to occupy the whole page; “When the Butcher Was Delivered” asks readers to consider the punny possibilities in otherwise unrelated words. Still, one must wonder if the book would pack more of a punch if it were about half as long. Too many of the poems consist of rhyming couplets in lockstep rhythms that dwell on mild sillinesses, resulting in an uneven collection in which the only-pretty-good overwhelms the truly-great.”

My Dog May Be a Genius [Review of the book My Dog May Be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky}. (2008, February 1). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jack-prelutsky/my-dog-may-be-a-genius/

Library Uses:

Jack Prelutsky’s poems are really relatable and fun, so I think it would be great to have kids write their own poems. A book display could be made include all types of poetry books. Kids could use these as inspiration to write their own poems. A wall display could be set up, where the kids could hang up their poems if they want. Worksheets could be provided that help kids get their poems started, but they can also just start writing whatever they want. This activity would allow kids to read lots of well-written poems, express their own creativity, and share their poems with other library patrons.