Man Gave Names to All the Animals [Hardcover]

Bob Dylan (Author), Jim Arnosky (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2010 | Age Range: 3 and up | Lexile Measure: 700L (What's this?)

Whimsical and witty, “Man Gave Names to All the Animals” first appeared on Bob Dylan's album Slow Train Coming in 1979. Illustrator Jim Arnosky has now crafted a stunning picture book adaptation of Dylan's song that's a treat for both children and adults, with breathtaking images of more than 170 animals plus a CD of Dylan's original recording.
The revered musical legend rarely allows his songs to be illustrated, and Arnosky has done the song proud with a parade of spectacular creatures ready to receive their names-until the surprise ending, when children get to name an animal themselves!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a track on his 1979 album Slow Train Coming, Dylan speculates about Mankind's naming of beasts. Although his observations are by no means profound, his subject is appropriate for preschoolers: "[Man] saw an animal leavin' a muddy trail./ Real dirty face and a curly tail./ He wasn't too small and he wasn't too big./ 'Ah, think I'll call it a pig.' " Menchin (The Day the Whale Came) smoothly adapts this lark of a musical moment to the page by making it a guessing game. In teasing spreads, he reveals the eyes, feet or tail of the nameless creature, then unveils it whole. Menchin surrounds his block prints of barnyard animals with mixed media collages. A linocut pink pig sits in a patch of greenish straw, for instance, and a cropped photo of a crowd overlooks a bull and toreador. Even if the chosen lyrics eliminate both the catchy tune and the famous voice, this labor of love recommends Dylan to a new generation. Ages 3-10. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2–Through vivid paintings of a primeval planet teeming with wildlife, Arnosky translates Dylan's 1979 song about the naming of Earth's animals into a gorgeous picture book. Full lyrics and a CD of the original song are included. In Dylan's narrative, Man takes note of the characteristics of various animals, including a bear, cow, bull, pig, and sheep, and determines a name for each creature. "He saw an animal that liked to growl,/Big furry paws and he liked to howl,/Great big furry back and furry hair./‘Ah, think I'll call it a bear.'" Children will have to supply the name for the final animal as he slithers away. Rather than the expected spotted cow and rosy pink pig, Arnosky features the burly undomesticated beasts that would have roamed during the earlier days of humankind. But the paintings are not without their dose of whimsy. Crocodiles and dolphins swim side by side and penguins line up beside a tiger, rhino, toucan, and other wildlife from various habitats. The effect is entirely in keeping with the imagined world of Dylan's lyrics. A list of 170 species appears in the back of the book, with hints on locating each creature on Arnosky's website. Beautifully printed with embossed cover and a surprise image beneath the dust jacket, this book will jump off library shelves and make a great keepsake for personal libraries as well. With its broad appeal to spiritual, scientific, and just plain animal-loving audiences, this book is a winner.Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; Har/Com edition (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402768583
• ISBN-13: 978-1402768583
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ah, I think I'll call it a must for the Bob Fan! January 6, 2000

By Steve Dunn

Format:Hardcover

A first edition must for the Bob Dylan fan. Bob's classic is pieced together nicely by illustrator Scott Menchin. My three year old son, Tyler, enjoys the story line & pictures very much. He loves to follow along while Bob does his stuff. A new generation of Dylan fans are born.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, brilliantly illustrated book, an ideal gift! August 30, 2010

By Kathryn E. Etier VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

On August 20, 1979, Bob Dylan dropped "Slow Train Coming" on which there was a song, "Man Gave Names to All the Animals." The song was not an allegory; it had no deep, hidden meaning. It simply told of man walking along, observing animals, and naming them. It's not the only simple song that Dylan ever wrote, but with its island-like beat, it is infectious. This is a Bob Dylan song that can be shared with very young children, requiring little explanation. And it's a great one to get up and jump around to, or -- if you prefer -- dance.

Award-winning children's illustrator Jim Arnosky has taken Dylan's lyrics and paired them with a beautifully vibrant storybook, "Man Gave Names to All the Animals," that captures the happy, funky sound of the original song.

Packaged with the book is a CD with the song performed by Bob Dylan. It warms my baby-boomer heart to imagine three-year-olds rocking to classic Dylan. Can "Maggie's Farm" be far behind?

Arnsoky has populated his book with an astounding variety of animals (yes, even a flamingo) from all parts of the world. There are fish, birds, insects, and mammals that would never see each other in life (except on Animal Planet) gathered together on the pages of "Man Gave Names to All the Animals," and the effect is enchanting.

While most of the animals are familiar, there are sure to be a few that stump readers. There are more than 170 animals illustrated, and they are listed at the end of the book, alphabetically. Those who need clues so that they, too, can name the animals can go to [...].

"Man Gave Names to All the Animals" is a fun book for adults and children to share, made even better by the inclusion of the CD, making it perfect for a sing-along -- or a silly-along if you prefer. Keep this lovely hardcover book in mind for holiday gift-giving...and don't forget the kazoos!

Bottom Line: Would I buy "Man Gave Names to All the Animals"? You better believe it! (Hitting the street September 7, it is now available for pre-order.)

Originally appeared on [...].

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Roar! January 6, 2011

By Bookmark

Format:Hardcover

Not a storybook, by any means, this one is more like a visit to the zoo. Inspired by the catchy Bob Dylan song of the same title, Jim Arnosky creates a vivid Eden in acrylic paint and fills it with more than 170 animals and insects.

Creatures of the sea, land and sky mingle on each lush page. A yawning black bear shows his powerful jaws while monarch butterflies dance at the feet of a mountain sheep. A cheetah, heron and zebra mix at the swirling water's edge, watching sailfish leap past salmon and a toothy tiger shark.

Together, parents and children can play endless games of "I spy with my little eye" while reading this book. Children can also savor it alone by listening to the enclosed CD recording of Dylan's song.