Mixed Beasts [Hardcover]

Kenyon Cox (Author), Wallace Edwards (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Prepare to be amazed by a collection of beasts such as the world has never seen. To track down these curious creatures, Professor Julius Duckworth O'Hare, Esq., the roving zoologist, traveled to the far corners of the globe. In this fascinating publication of his findings, the Professor commissioned the poetic talents of Kenyon Cox and the artistic powers of Wallace Edwards to bring his expedition to life in the form of an illustrated field guide. In these pages lurk bizarre beasts, such as the Bumblebeaver and the Rhinocerostrich, depicted in their natural environments. Readers possessing a sharp eye and an inquisitive nature will be rewarded with exotic flora and fauna hidden in each remarkable painting. So delay not, seekers of the strange and undiscovered. Step into the world of Mixed Beasts!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5–These original nonsense poems about a miscellany of odd beasts comprised of a mixture of two species, such as a Rhinocerostrich, a Bumblebeaver, a Kangarooster, and a Camelelephant, are clever and funny. Full-page, detailed illustrations of exotic flora and fauna as well as preposterous creatures are rendered in watercolor, colored pencil, and gouache. The humor of the selections is carried out in the art. Delicate borders and titles in Edwardian script, as well as paisley endpapers, lend an elegant appearance. This arresting book has lots of child appeal. An appendix lists other wondrous beasts encountered by roving zoologist Professor Duckworth O'Hare, Esq. The original edition of this title was written and illustrated by Kenyon Cox and published in 1904.–Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY
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Review

This arresting book has lots of child appeal.

In a finished, painterly style, Edwards places his often hilariously imagined subjects in elaborate settings.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553377966
• ISBN-13: 978-1553377962
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #679,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Beasts illustrated by Wallace Edwards, October 1, 2005

By 

Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mixed Beasts (Hardcover)

Kenyon Cox authored and illustrated the original edition of Mixed Beasts first published in 1904. Wallace Edwards, a respected Canadian illustrator, has used Cox's verses to inspire his own artwork, maintaining an old-fashioned feel with a somewhat more modern design. Children with a sense of the absurd will enjoy Edwards' elaborate illustrations and Cox's short verses in this new edition. The Rhinocerostrich, the Kangarooster, and the Octopussycat are wonderfully ridiculous but strangely plausible with Edwards' presentation.

A two page appendix offers a pictorial listing of 32 beasts, from Army Ant to Spider Monkey to Zebrafinch, whose names lead to a more literal vision provided by Edwards.

Younger children may find some of the images oddly disturbing, but most will enjoy the zany content hidden behind a facetiously serious facade.

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, January 13, 2012

By 

QCC (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mixed Beasts (Hardcover)

My son loves to imagine what if scenarios so the made-up combination animals in this book are very entertaining for him. Nice artwork and clever rhymes too!