Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! -- Jack Prelutsky, Hardcover

Started by Dr. Seuss, finished by Jack Prelutsky, and illustrated by Lane Smith, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day is a joyous ode to individuality starring unsinkable teacher Miss Bonkers and the quirky Diffendoofer School (which must prove it has taught its students how to think--or have them sent to dreary Flobbertown). Included is an introduction by Dr. Seuss's longtime editor explaining how the book came to be and reproductions of Dr. Seuss's original pencil sketches and hand-printed notes for the book--a true find for all Seuss collectors Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith pay homage to the Good Doctor in their own distinctive ways, the result of which is the union of three one-of-a-kind voices in a brand-new, completely original book that is greater than the sum of its parts. For all of us who will never forget our school days and that special teacher, here is a book to give and to get.

Author: Jack Prelutsky
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: 04/20/1998
Pages: 64
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.96lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780679890089
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.8
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 19490 / Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!

Award: Buckeye Children's Book Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 02/16/1998 pg. 211
Kirkus Review - Children 04/01/1998 pg. 501
Booklist 05/01/1998 pg. 1522
School Library Journal 06/01/1998 pg. 121
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/1998 pg. 306 - Superior,Well Above Average
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1998 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
For 30 years, Jack Prelutsky's inventive poems have inspired legions of children to fall in love with poetry. His outrageously silly poems have tickled even the most stubborn funny bones, while his darker verses have spooked countless late-night readers. His award-winning books include Tyrannosaurus Was a Beast, The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, and The Beauty of the Beast.

While attending a Bronx, New York, grade school, Prelutsky took piano and voice lessons and was a regular in school shows. Surprisingly, Prelutsky developed a healthy dislike for poetry due to a teacher who "left me with the impression that poetry was the literary equivalent of liver. I was told it was good for me, but I wasn't convinced."

In his early twenties, Prelutsky spent six months drawing imaginary animals in ink and watercolor. One evening, he wrote two dozen short poetry verses to accompany each drawing. A friend encouraged him to show them to an editor, who loved his poems (although not his artwork!) and urged him to keep writing. Prelutsky listened and he is still busy writing.
Jack Prelutsky lives on Mercer Island in Washington with his wife, Carolynn.