omnibeasts: animal poems and paintings [Hardcover]

Douglas Florian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Get ready to bark, purr, and howl the night away with this high-spirited, special-sized gift edition featuring forty-four of Douglas Florian's favorite animal poems and paintings.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6–With selections from seven of Florian's successful collections of creature poetry, Omnibeasts is a treasure chest of wit and charm. The author weaves information into each poem, combining fun and fact. For example, "The caterpillar's brain is small–/It only knows to eat and crawl." Flounders are described: "While waiting on/Their smooth white side/Below the sand/For food they hide,/Awaiting shrimp/And smaller fishes,/These flattish, mattish/Living dishes." Many of the poems are cleverly shaped to mirror their subjects–the humps of a camel, a python's curl, salmon leaping upstream, and the quills of a porcupine. In addition, the verses are loaded with hilarious wordplay: "Orange newt./Orange you cute" and "Woodpeckers are peckuliar things." Combined with Florian's signature watercolors, many painted on paper bags, each short offering occupies its own spread. This book has enormous appeal for readers of many ages.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
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From Booklist

Gr. 1-4. This collection of poems and art, selected from the author's whimsical, pun-filled previous books, is longer than any of Florian's earlier works, but readers and listeners won't mind. His creativity is on display once again--from clever wordplay ("I am a cat of longhaired version. / A pet-igree that's known as purrrsian") to tricks with type, as in "The Porcupine," which features lines of text springing vertically from a creature's back as if they were spines. In the best selections, the art echoes the humor in the poetry. For example, Florian describes flounders metaphorically as "living dishes," then pictures one flanked by subtly shadowy silverware. Fans who already own the other books don't need this, but the varied, witty selection, comprising some of Florian's best work, is just right for libraries that can afford to buy only one volume. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152050388
• ISBN-13: 978-0152050382
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,568,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Florian is the creator of many acclaimed picture books including Dinothesaurus, which received starred reviews in four major publications, Comet, Stars, The Moon and Mars, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year and Horn Book Fanfare List selection; Bow Wow Meow Meow, winner of the Gryphon Award and a Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year; and Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book. He lives with his family in New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Experience, October 3, 2011

By 

Jeff Schiltz - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: omnibeasts: animal poems and paintings (Hardcover)

The book came sooner than later and was in perfect condition. It was nice to receive the book sooner than promised so that it could be used in the classroom sooner. Great job!

5.0 out of 5 stars fun for kids & adults, January 20, 2008

By 

M. Robles (Norfolk, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: omnibeasts: animal poems and paintings (Hardcover)

My husband does story time when our 3-year-old goes to bed each night, and they both love this book. The poems are silly and entertaining on both a child's and an adult's levels. It's easy to flip through and pick out a few poems each night. The poems help my daughter learn new things - or lesser-known facts - about familiar animals, and also learn about new animals. The meter & rhymes are fun and really catch kids' attention.