Jack Prelutsky was born September 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY. American poet and singer-songwriter, most often writing for children, he has published over 50 poetry collections. Before becoming a writer, he worked odd jobs including driving a cab, moving furniture, busboy, potter, woodworker, and door-to-door salesman. Prelutsky was appointed as the first U.S. Children’s Laureate by the Poetry Foundation (2006-2008).

To read his poem “If Not for the Cat” click:

If Not for the Cat

by Jack Prelutsky

If not for the cat,
And the scarcity of cheese,
I could be content.

“If Not for the Cat” from If Not for the Cat, © 2004 by Jack Prelutsky – Greenwillow Books