Prelutsky, Jack

Prelutsky, Jack

(1940– ) writer; born in New York City. He attended Hunter College and studied voice at various music schools. He worked as a taxi driver, actor, singer, sculptor, laborer, and carpenter, among other jobs, before becoming a popular poet and storyteller for young readers. His imaginative books have caused controversy at times due to their subject matter, but readers continue to enjoy such works as Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep (1976), and The Baby Uggs Are Hatching (1982). He lived in Olympia, Wash.