Book Review 7

Bibliography

Prelutsky, Jack. 1996. Monday’s Troll. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York, New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0688096441.

Plot Summary

For a book full of fun and original humor, look no further than Monday’s Troll. Jack Prelutsky engages the reader from the first page as an overconfident narrator taunts a wizard only to end up with a hamster’s head by the end of the poem. Prelutsky and Sis take their audience through the world of invisible wizards, cranky ogres, unqualified witches, and trolls with ease and humor that will be entertain children and adults alike.

Critical Analysis

Jack Prelutsksy’s poems in Monday’s Troll are all rhyming, and each word feels naturally placed as opposed to forced for the sake of the rhyme. The rhythm is perfect for reading aloud, and children inexperienced with poetry would benefit from hearing or trying to read Prelutsky’s poems aloud because they are so well organized and create a perfect sound.

The humor in these poems is undeniable and one of the most appealing parts of the book. In “We’re Seven Grubby Goblins”, the goblins warn that they “smell like rotten garlic, we burp around the clock” before informing the reader they will be “moving to your block.” The poor apprentice witch complains about “the elder witches” lecturing her since she is only seven centuries old, and the wizard in “If I Were Not a Wizard” reminds the reader that they would not have to worry about sprouting “antlers and a fifty-foot-long beard” if he was not a wizard.

Peter Sis’ illustrations are vital to the enjoyment of this book. Reading Ogrebrag without seeing the one eyed mother/child ogres watering the plants they have put in the armor of an eaten knight would still be enjoyable, but not the same. Sis’ visuals take Prelutsky’s imaginative thoughts and give them a physical form, making it seem possible to view big foot in the streets of a city or watch an ogre spit out dragons and humans. Prelutsky uses a kaleidoscope of colors and his illustrations are the backdrop for the poems. The poem may be 8 lines, such as "Monday’s Troll", but Sis’s vivid images cover two pages so each troll can be illustrated. With Prelutsky’s words being larger than life, illustrations must be able to hold their own and add to the overall enjoyment of the poems. Sis accomplishes this and then some.


Review Excerpts

“The inspired pair has scored again.” New York Times Book Review

“Prelutsky's gross humor will evoke giggles in child readers, while adults will find the impressive vocabulary and imaginative ideas refreshing.” Children’s Literature

Connections

*Read It’s Halloween by Jack Prelutsky. Have students pair read these poems and discuss and compare the characters with the ones in Monday’s Troll.
*Read a book by Shel Silverstein. Have students attempt to imitate the style of Prelutsky or Silverstein after studying both by writing a short poem of their own about a personal experience, object, or anything that interests them.