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Jack's Birth
Jack Prelutsky is born to his mother and father, Dorothea and Charles Prelutsky. -
Apartment Fire
When he was just a baby, Jack's apartment burnt down. He was saved by his Uncle Charlie in the nick of time. -
Elementary School
One of Jack Prelutsky's elementary school teachers hit her students when she talked about poetry so that they would hate poetry as well. This worked on Jack, leaving him to despise poetry until much later in his life. -
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Odd Jobs
Jack Prelutsky was very indecisive when it came to a career. He worked as a photographer, carpenter, sculptor, opera singer, folk singer, and truckdriver. -
Flunked Out of College
Jack flunked out of Hunter College. -
Discovery
For a while, Jack had drawn funky animals for fun, but one night he decided to try something new: writing poems to go along with his animals. This was when he discovered that he loved poetry. -
Jack's First Book
One of Jack's friends convinced him to send a few of his poems to an editor, Susan Hirschman, who raved about his poems and published his first book, A Gopher in the Garden. -
Marriage
Jack married his wife, Carolynn. When they first met, he asked for her hand in marriage. (Of course, she said no.) -
Mother's Death
Jack's mother, Dorothea, passes away -
Appeared on Arthur
Jack Prelutsky appeared on the children's show, Arthur. This gained him more popularity and recognition. -
The First Poet Laureate
Jack was announced as the first Poet Laureate. -
Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
Jack Prelutsky wins the Scanduizzi Children's Book Award. -
Bestselling Books
"My Parents Think I'm Sleeping" is the eighth best-selling childrens poetry book, and "The Carnival Of The Animals" is the sixth best-selling childrens poetry book. -
Jack Prelutsky Recently
Jack Prelutsky is happily living with his wife, Carolynn Prelutsky in downtown Seattle. He is 75 years old now.