Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Outstanding Natural History Poetry for Children (page 2)


Cover art for ANIMAL MISCHIEF
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 31, 2006
by Rob Jackson, illustrated by Laura Jacobsen

"Where the animal poems of Douglas Florian and Jack Prelutsky are popular, this will find an enthusiastic fan club. (Poetry. 8-10)"
These short, sly, humorous animal poems with a dollop of science will tickle the funny bone of young readers and encourage imitation. Read full book review >
Cover art for ANIMAL SNACKERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2004
by Betsy Lewin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

"Further "Animal Facts" appended. (Picture book/poetry. 5-8)"
In this thoroughly revised version of her 1980 collection, Lewin not only adds two poems, drops one, and revisits several, she replaces the original's bread-dough art with fresh, less-formal, loosely brushed watercolors that capture the verses' humor even better. Read full book review >
Cover art for ANIMAL SENSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 11, 2003
by Diane Ackerman, illustrated by Peter Sís

"Good poetry, fine illustration, a bit of natural history gently rendered and more than occasionally funny—what child could ask for anything more than this exquisite little gem? (Poetry. 7-12)"
Poet and naturalist Ackerman (The Night Crossing, 1994, etc.) examines the five senses by way of the animal kingdom. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHERE FISH GO IN WINTER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2002
by Amy Goldman Koss, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

"This collection will be a welcome addition to any easy-reader collection or to the classroom science shelves, and teachers will find the individual poems useful for adding a literature component to science class. (Easy reader. 6-9)"
Fourteen "mysteries" of science are answered with lighthearted but informative rhyming poems in this upper-level easy reader first published in 1988, but freshened with new illustrations. Read full book review >
Cover art for LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2001
by Douglas Florian, illustrated by Douglas Florian

"A first choice for the poetry shelves in all libraries, this collection is toadally terrific. (Poetry. 4-10)"
"It's wise to stay clear / Of the dangerous cobra / All months of the year, / Including Octobra." Read full book review >
Cover art for ODDHOPPER OPERA
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2001
by Kurt Cyrus, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus

"Two-legged fans of Douglas Florian's Insectlopedia (1998) and J. Patrick Lewis's The Little Buggers (1998) will scurry after this verbal and visual tour-de-force. (Poetry. 7-10)"
Cyrus (The Mousery, 2000, etc.) promises bugs and verses, and delivers plenty of both in this ground-level view of a vegetable garden's teeming residents. Read full book review >