Lewis, J. Patrick, ed. 2012. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry. Washington DC: National
Geographic. ISBN 9781426310546
In this sensory extravaganza, the best of children's poetry is
paired with the best of animal photography like a match made in heaven. Published by National Geographic, it has the
characteristic excellence that makes the pictures a visual feast. Snow-dusted buffalo, gorillas that look into
your eyes, enormously enlarged caterpillars and chrysalises, birds, fish, and
insects with intense color, are just a few of the treats offered.
With the love and expertise we expect from the 2011 Children's
Poet Laureate and NCTE Children's Poetry Award recipient, J. Patrick Lewis
carefully matches 200 poems to the exquisite photographs. Lewis selects poems from poets as classic as
Dickinson, Stevenson and Kipling, as well as present day favorites such as
Prelutsky, Florian, and Sidman to name only 6 of the 106 talents. The animal
poems are organized by groups including welcome to the world, the big ones, the
little ones, the winged ones, the water ones, the strange ones, the noisy ones,
the quiet ones, and final thought. Additionally, Lewis includes informational
material at the end of the book including indexes by title, poet, first lines
and subject. Lewis also includes a brief
explanation of some of the poetic forms such as couplet, free verse, haiku, and
limerick followed by a bibliography of books demonstrating various forms of
poetry such as acrostics, reversos and shaped poems.
As Lewis states in his introduction, this book is not meant to be
read cover to cover in order.
However, I would have to say that is just the way I read it to my class,
and it was certainly enjoyable. My kindergartners
were eager to see what pictures and poems were in store at each reading. Poetry and pictures evoked gasps, giggles,
awe and wonder, and even one scream at a scary creature. One of their favorites was Lewis' own A
Flamingo Is. Written as a shape
poem, it is paired with an aerial view of a large flock of flamingos standing
in the shape of a large bird. Lewis
masterfully creates the imagery of the flamingo, not just by the shape of the
poem on the page but by his word craft of "long, cooooooooooooooool, drink
of something pink."
Two other favorites were poems by Michael Rosen and Ogden
Nash. Both were written in three
couplets. I dare you to read either one
of these delights and not laugh.
A Blue-footed Booby
by Michael J. Rosen
You'd never see a bird
who'd be
as shod as oddly as the
booby.
It struts about on such
blue legs
or poses on its clutch of
eggs,
sharing baby brooding
duties
until they hatch as newbie
boobies.
Now try:
The Panther
by Ogden Nash
The panther is like a
leopard,
Except it hasn't been
peppered.
Should you behold a panther
crouch,
Prepare to say Ouch.
Better yet, if called by a
panther,
Don't anther.
Although a perfect accompaniment to an animal science unit, this
collection is so versatile, it could find a place in any subject of
curriculum. Inspiring a class to make
its own book of animal poetry is only the tip of the iceberg of ideas. Having a class take pictures of their pets
and write a poem, or write about a trip to the zoo with photo illustrations
would also make meaningful collections. But
even if you choose no project at all, reading this book for pure pleasure would
be time well spent.
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