The Swamps of Sleethe    by Jack Prelutsky & Jimmy Pickering Order:  USA  Can Knopf, 2009 (2009) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Reading U.S. Children's Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky's The Swamps of Sleethe: poems from beyond the solar system will make young readers want to hug the planet close and never leave - that is, until they read the thought-provoking ending that brings it all home. From the title poem The Swamps of Sleethe to There is a Sound on Ning-Fa-Dee, Prelutsky paints a very dangerous universe in verse, backed up by Jimmy Pickering's imaginative illustrations of varied hostile aliens and their bizarre worlds. Here's one of my favorites, On Fabled Gazook ... 'On fabled Gazook You'll be showered with praise, The toast and delight Of the local gourmets. The cooks of Gazook Will reduce you to powder, And use you to flavor Their savory chowder.' Kids of all ages (and both sexes) who enjoy 'Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails' will repeatedly recite and revel in The Swamps of Sleethe Adding to the fun, Jack Prelutsky has built in a challenge to Unscramble the Planets' Names (with answers at the back of the book). Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews