By Douglas Florian
1996-1997 Texas Bluebonnet Nominee
Up in a tree
The shaggy sloth
Is hanging by its claws
It doesn't like to move at all
It only likes to
p a u s e
The illustrations in this book really enhance the poems. Without them, The Barracuda would not seem so menacing and The Ants would not seem so hurried. Florian uses flowing, rhyming verse in his poetry. For example, The Pigeon begins like this, I don’t claim to love the pigeon, But I like it just a smidgen. The poetry in this collection is timeless and has a mass appeal. Alliteration is used often and it greatly enhances each poem’s imagery. A few examples of this sound technique are tacky tongue, salty sea, snaking from its snout, leggy lobster, and the colors on a chameleon change. This enchanting book is sure to be a winner with kids of all ages.
Florian indeed presents a feast--for the eyes and the ears--in this cheerful collection of brief, bouncy poems describing an eclectic roundup of animals. - Publisher's Weekly
It's easy to imagine readers becoming inspired to write and illustrate their own poems after spending time with Florian. Clearly a wonderful book - School Library Journal
Poems by Jack Prelutsky
1994-1995 Texas Bluebonnet Nominee
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
With eyes of shining gold,
Who breathed a plume of fire
Whenever it was told,
A dragon so ferocious
It might frighten Frankenstein,
But not a lazy dragon
Who sleeps all day...like mine!
Prelutsky is truly a master of his trade. He uses all the right poetic elements and just enough humor to make each work simply outstanding. Words such as “happenstance,” “lament,” and “pillage” will challenge and expand the minds of young readers. The poetry in this collection is timeless and appeals to a wide variety of persons. The intricate illustrations by Peter Sis convey exactly what Prelutsky describes. The poetry flows as smoothly as the author’s imagination and with each flip of the page we are pulled further and further into this enchanting world. Open this book and you will believe the impossible!
Dragons belligerent and docile, large and small, sometimes underemployed and disbelieved, ice cream eaters and flame throwers-they are all charmingly here. Eat your heart out, Barney. - The Chicago Tribune
These engaging, funny, and touching poems will delight readers with rhyme, rhythm, and wonderful words. Kudos for word choices such as "malevolent," "disconsolate," and "obeisance," which add texture and intelligence to fanciful vignettes of dragon life - Christian Science Monitor
Because it appeals on so many levels, this is one poetry book that won't sit on the shelf for long. Consider multiple copies. - Booklist