Something BIG Has Been Here / poems by Jack Prelutsky, drawings by James Stevenson: Poetry for youth (K-5 students)

Bibliographic Information:
Prelutsky, J., & Stevenson, J. (1990). Something big has been here. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Plot Description: From the publisher: "A poetry collection to tickle your funny bone, Something Big Has Been Here features more than 100 original poems and black-and-white drawings from the best-selling team of Jack Prelutsky and James Stevenson. Here are four ferocious tigers, a meat loaf that defies an ax, five flying hot dogs-and many, many more people, animals, and things that are destined to become a part of the lives of everyone who loves to laugh." Written in the spirit of Shel Silverstein, the poems and drawings vary in length and are clever and fun to read aloud. This collection is still fresh and enjoyable despite its age.

Quantitative Reading Level: Lexile Level AD1090L

Qualitative Reading Analysis: This collection of poems and drawings makes for a fun and not overly complex teacher-guided read aloud for ages 5-7. No prior knowledge is necessary for readers and listeners to enjoy this book. Older children would also enjoy reading alone. The text font is sans serif, thereby making for a clean read, with occasional font variations for emphasis. There is a high amount of white space with black and white pen and watercolor style illustrations. While there is no table of contents, each page features a short, one-page poem with the title in bold and underlined. Older children (7-10) would get a kick out of the play on words featured in each poem, while younger children would love the silly drawings and stories. A great way to introduce younger listeners to rhyme and reading for pleasure.

Content Area: Poetry

Content Area Standard: CCSS Reading Standards for Literature K–5 
Kindergarten Standards:

1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

5. Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems, fantasy, realistic text). CA

7. With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

Grade 1 Standards: 

4. Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

7. Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

10. With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1.

Grade 2 Standards: 

4. Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

7. Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

10. By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2–3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Curriculum Suggestions: Prelutsky's poetry lends itself to verse memorization in the early grades, as well as assignments designed to help students write their own poetry in the same style. This would also make a good introduction to the art of limerick, 5-line style, and other forms of verse.

Links to Supporting Digital Content: 

Jack Prelutsky's works are also available as audiobooks and  music on CD.

Awards and Acclaim:

An ALA Notable Book

"Illustrator James Stevenson's lively line drawings capture Prelutsky's goofy poetic antics perfectly, making this collection another essential addition to any child's library." (Amazon.com editorial review)

"Prelutsky's new collection of over 100 funny poems will convert to poetry lovers many elementary readers..." (School Library Journal, starred review)