Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems

This unique poetry book explores an imaginative world in which animals and inanimate objects are combined to create interesting members of the animal community. The "umbrellaphant," which is the first animal the author writes about, is an elephant with an umbrella at the end of his trunk! He is always content because he is always dry and in the shade. Prelutsky combines other animals, too, creating zipperpottemuses and toadsters that encounter silly situations throughout the rhyming verses. Through the use of puns and plays on words, the author creates a lyrical and sing-song collection of poems that would make anyone giggle. 

The illustrations were incredible, too! I have come to love the mixed media, collaged illustrative style. I find it to be really interesting and unique. It also fits the theme of this poetry book well, combining unlike things to create a cohesive and creative image. The overall "feel" of the illustrations make the book feel vintage, and I enjoy that feature about it! 

I can definitely see myself using this book in my classroom, whether I am working with younger students or students that are in upper elementary grades. I think it could be used as a way to get students thinking about ideas they want to write about or as a model for a poem of their choice. Students can choose two unlike objects and combine them in a creative way. It could also be used to introduce the concept of smilies and metaphors in comparing objects. Art is a great way to culminate this project by allowing students to use recyclable materials to create a physical representation of their creature. I feel like it would be incredibly engaging and interesting to see what students create! 

Additionally, there are a lot of really wonderful words that are used in this collection of poems. They are descriptive and detailed and really accomplish exactly what the author intends to. I can imagine using this book in a lesson on descriptive language in order to show students what the "right" word can do in a situation—especially in poetry. 

Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems 
By: Jack Prelutsky 
Illustrated by: Carin Berger 
Published in 2006