What do pandas who make stir-fry, a bike with no pedals, New Year's resolutions, and perturbed vegetables have in common? Not much, but they sure are a hoot! This poetry collection covers topics that include food (some edible, some not), various holidays, and animals--some that are real, like "merciless ants," many imaginary, such as the "fnatt," and a few inventive combinations, like the "kangarooster" or the "shrimpala." There are also healthy doses of innocuous schoolwork avoidance and general silliness. With steady rhymes and consistent meter, Prelutsky employs his characteristic wordplay, humor, and absurdism. One poem, titled "If You Saw Yourself," inverts expectations by finishing the sentiment with "in half." Another, speaking of the seasons, notes how the leaves fall every year, like "it's sort of autumn-atic." Peppered about are some shaped poems and the occasional poignant message, addressing self-identity or the values of a simple life. Chan's grayscale cartoons are a potent contribution, as they visually add wry amusement and often enhance the poems' textual meanings. As a whole, they work together exceedingly well. A neon sign makes a "light" meal…for a dinosaur, while a constant sleeper is…a cat. There is some variety in shading, but most illustrated human characters are White-presenting. A quick-witted delight. (Poetry. 6-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Prelutsky fans specifically, and fans of humorous poetry generally, should find just what they're looking for here: nonsense confidently delivered in lines that scan satisfyingly ("My dragon is mad at my ogre, / My ogre is mad at my gnome, / My gnome will not talk to my goblin. / It's truly upsetting my home"), surrounded by Chan's exuberantly cartooned black-and-white drawings. Along with imaginary creatures and the like, the poems cover familiar realistic kid-concerns such as homework, sibling conflict, and spinach -- and if some are a little too familiar (see "I've Got a Cold"), guessing a predictable ending might feel like a victory for some readers. The collection includes a few different forms: a section of haiku from various animals' points of view breaks up the silliness, and the cleverly rhymed concrete poem "Figure 8" had this reviewer-via-e-book barely refraining from turning her laptop upside down. Bon appetit! Shoshana Flax March/April 2021 p.106(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

U.S. children's poet laureate emeritus Prelutsky delivers his signature silliness and wordplay in this collection of 100 poems marked by the strong kid appeal and energetic pace that makes the prolific poet's work immediately recognizable. Prelutsky is reliably playful, whether he's describing disgusting food choices, as in the title poem ("Hard boiled bugs are tastier/ than spiders, flies, or slugs"); expressing schoolchildren's universal wish (skipping school) in "I've Got a Cold," which calls to mind Shel Silverstein's "Sick"; or making up creatures such as "The Bumblebeet" (which "surely is not good to eat"). He occasionally interrupts the goofiness with a gentler poem, such as the cleverly rhymed "The Leaves Are Drifting" and "We Are the Oceans," which provides a rare serious note, paying homage to the interconnectedness of Earth's denizens. With their rhythmic meter, easy rhymes, and offbeat punch lines, these are poems that beg to be memorized. Lively black-and-white drawings (one for a poem entitled "My Nose" depicts a foot in place of the orifice) by Chan (The Great Indoors) are perfectly in pitch with the droll verse. Ages 8--up. (Jan.)■

Gr 3--7--Prelutsky's new poetry collection is a gift to the ears and eyes. Written in a variety of rhyme schemes, the poems describe feelings, unusual beasts, and monsters (the lazy slothrush, the confused niddlenudds, the wazawa). Black-and-white cartoon drawings accompany each poem and bring the words--both comical and descriptive--to life. Prelutsky is a master of humor and poetic device. The imagery throughout is interesting and clever: a garden of glowing electric light bulbs; a musical octopus octet; giant bubble gum bubbles that lift a child off the ground. Puns are another device featured in the text. Some poems include a phonetic representation of a creature's name to help with pronunciation. The book could be used to spark ideas for a school poetry assignment. VERDICT A well-written, must-have collection of poems.--Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker P.L., OH

The first U.S. Children's Poet Laureate once again exhibits his knack for rhyme and giggles in this collection of over 100 new poems. With his signature silliness, Prelutsky imagines outlandish situations, as in "My Nose," which thankfully isn't 12 inches long (because then it would be a foot!), or "My Carrots Are Angry," which describes the sullen state of his vegetables, legumes, and more (alas, they're in a stew!). Several others describe animals, but not instantly recognizable ones. Instead, Prelutsky combines terms to form such pun-ny animals as "The Poor Revolving Doormouse" that can't stop spinning or "The Limber Rubber Bandicoot" that stretches in its elastic suit. In these cases, the poet also provides pronunciation guides for these creatures. Still more poems recognize American holidays, like Dracula answering the door on Halloween or preposterous resolutions on New Year's Eve. While most of the poems follow Prelusky's traditional rhythmic rhymes, he also makes his mark with a few haiku and concrete poems. Topping off the playfulness is delightful black-and-white spot art. A read-aloud-ready anthology.