Customer Reviews

Annie and the Wild Animals

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Annie, as in The Mitten and others, Jan Brett tells a fun children's tale while gently showing how a children's actions affect the world around them. Just as the boy in The Mitten winds up scaring all of the animals that then crawl into the mitten, Annie's actions also have wide repercussions.

Annie has a cat. One day she notices the cat does not want to play, but tries to hide in odd places. Annie keeps finding the cat so the cat tries the outdoors. This makes Annie lonely as she wants to have a pet around the house.

She bakes corn muffins to leave outside in the snow to attract a new pet. But Annie gets more than she bargained for as first a giant moose and then a bobcat shows up. Annie makes more muffins and more animals show up.

But eventually the corn meal runs out at the same time as the warm Spring winds begin to blow. Without any muffins, the animals leave and the cat is free to come back. By following the illustrations in the borders, we know what the cat has been up to and what prevented its return.

The only downside of this book (at least in my daughter's eyes) is that there is no mention whatsoever of a parent. Are we to believe that Annie is living at the edge of the woods all by herself? But still, it is a beautiful book and a fun story. A must read for fans of Jan Brett's other books.

Our daughter has enjoyed this book since she was less than a year old. It has wonderful, expressive pictures of animals that come out of the woods to feast on the muffins that Annie puts out. Annie hopes to find an animal to replace her cat that went missing during a snow storm, but none of them is friendly and cuddly as her cat was.

Meanwhile, in the band of graphics around the margin of each page, we see the missing cat, and other animals that are yet to appear in the story. This is an amazing way to show things that may be happening even when we don't "see" them. It gives plenty for the person reading to point out and discuss, or the story may be breezed through when it's one of several that a child wants to hear.

Several story lines are wrapped together in this relatively short book -- the disappearance of Annie's cat and her search for a replacement, the strange behaviour of her cat and its final explanation, the succession of wild beasts that come out of the woods to eat corn muffins (!), and through it all, winter's slow thaw and the eventual arrival of spring. None of it is overplayed; it all just fits together naturally.

This book tells the story of some valuable lessons that Annie learned about animals. One day, her cat started acting strange. Then it went away. Annie was lonely, so she tried to find herself another pet by attracting wild animals with corn cakes. Indeed, a veritable menagerie of wild animals was soon hanging around her door, including a moose, a wild cat, and a bear. But none of these animals were friendly like Annies cat, and soon the corn meal gave out so she couldnt make any more corn cakes. Just then the cat appeared again, followed by some new kittens. Animal loving children may be fascinated with Annies tale, although some may be a little frightened by the press of wild animals at her door. The illustrations by Brett, as always are intricate and very attractive. The book has about 375 words.

I grew up in the West and around wild animals (as well as domesticated ones). I hesitated to purchase this book because I was concerned that it would present wild animals as "cute" and safe, which is not a lesson that I want my children to learn. I want my children to respect and love nature and animals, but certainly don't want them to assume that any animal is going to be safe to be around, especially a wild animal. Add in the fact that feeding wild animals (other than birds) is not encouraged, and I was nervous. I don't want my children to have unrealistic and potentially dangerous ideas about how safe they are in nature/around wild animals.

However, the book shows that the wild animals are just that - wild. And Annie recognizes that and doesn't try to tame them. In the end, Annie's cat returns with kittens, something I remember our cats doing while we were growing up - a wonderful surprise.

This book is obviously a wonderful flight of fancy and I know my daughter really enjoys it. And I also know that if she sees an elk while we're camping, she's not going to try to pet it! Let alone, a mountain lion or bear or cow moose.

I LOVE THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN JAN BRETTS BOOKS. ANY ONE WHO HAS SEEN HER BOOKS KNOWS WHAT I MEAN. THERE IS SO MUCH FOR THE CHILD TO LOOK AT. STORY LINES ARE ALSO VERY CUTE.

If I had to choose just one of Jan Brett's stories, this is the one I would pick. The frames around the illustrations include small pictures of the upcoming plot.
The story is interesting, the illustrations are rich and detailed, and the hints increase the interest factor for the adults reading the text to children.

I have purchased a few of ANnie and the Wild Aimals.It is also a book that I take to read to children in and out of school. Highly 'reco'

The story is sweet and as with all Jan Brett books, the illustrations are second-to-none. My son and daughter love this book, and so do their parents!

I recently purchased another copy for my niece and nephew. My two youngest daughters have worn out this book. About 3 to 4 yrs old is the perfect time to start reading and rereading it. Jan Brett never disappoints!

Jan's art is fascinating and her story of searching for a new pet friend darling.