November 8, 2019
Gr 4-6-Singer's collection of poems explores 20 different wild animals that have made their homes among people. Her subjects range from white storks atop the rooftops of Munster, France, to the reticulated pythons traveling in the sewer systems of Singapore. Each section features a poem that showcases the animal's point of view and a paragraph with more factual information. Singer's rhymes are playful and snappy. For example, in the poem about brushtail possums, Singer writes, "They thump on your roof, enter your attic. / They eat your favorite fruits and blossoms. / They daily mark their turf with pungent scent. / At mating time they shriek to find a spouse." The poems complement Wright's engaging artwork. The illustrations firmly place the reader in each of these locations. Every detail of the book evokes nature, from the bright color palette to the soft features of the highlighted environment. The end of the book explains the types of poems Singer used for each animal. Back matter includes an author's note, a glossary, and a page listing books, websites, TV shows, and conservation organizations. VERDICT An excellent option for poetry and animal nonfiction collections.-Molly Dettmann, Norman North High School, OK
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2019
Grades 1-4 Which animals share our urban world? How do creatures such as hyenas, river crabs, tree frogs, and storks survive in landscapes of concrete, storefronts, tall buildings, and subways? Multi-award winner Singer and illustrator Wright profile 20 animals who make their homes in global cities. Each animal receives a full description, in both poetry and nonfiction prose, with accompanying illustrations. Coyotes prowl in Chicago, possums dwell in Sydney's attics, pythons slide through Singapore's sewers, rhesus monkeys populate New Delhi, water monitor lizards hunt in the parks of Bangkok, wild boars forage in Berlin, and falcons nest atop the Empire State Building in New York City. But the most omnipresent city dweller? The pigeon! In her poems, Singer employs eight forms of poetry, elaborating on the different styles (which include haiku, cinquain, and sonnet) in the back matter. Wright's detailed natural and textured full-page color illustrations capture people and animals sharing their environments. Further back matter includes a glossary and resources for further exploration. An excellent tool for classrooms exploring poetic forms, animal science, or both.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)