Beast Feast

DOUGLAS FLORIAN is the creator of many acclaimed picture books including zoo's who; bow wow meow meow, a Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year; lizards, frogs, and polliwogs, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book; mammalabilia, an ABA's Pick of the Lists; insectlopedia, an ALA Notable Children's Book and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year; and omnibeasts, a gift collection of his best-loved animal poems. He lives with his family in New York City.

Grade 1-4-A colorful and clever assemblage of 21 animals, from the walrus ("The pounding spatter/Of salty sea/ makes the walrus/Walrusty.") to the kiwi ("Wings so small./No tail at all./ Very rare./Feathers like hair./Quiet and shy./Cannot fly./They call you a bird,/But I don't know why."). Each brief poem employs an Ogden Nashian twist of language, a small surprise, or a happy insight into the familiar. The book's design is as appealing as the verses themselves, pairing each selection with a full-page, splashy, bordered watercolor. Large type, surrounded by plenty of white space, will appeal to younger readers. This collection is an uncluttered, short presentation by an author/illustrator who knows what children will find funny-add to that the bonus of factual information tucked into each poem, and the result is a winner. It's easy to imagine readers becoming inspired to write and illustrate their own poems after spending time with Florian. Clearly a wonderful book.
Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, WI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.