Song of the Wild: A First Book of Animals

Davies and Horacek offer a striking poetic and visual tribute to the animal world. Grouped into thematic chapters that include "Big and Small," "Colors and Shapes," and "Animal Homes," Davies's pithy, playful poems skillfully impart details about the various creatures ("From a swollen, pregnant pouch, / small fishy sea foals squiggle out./ They've grown from eggs inside the tummy/ of their daddy, not their mommy"). Horacek's sweeping, layered collages vary in form, composition, and medium: shards of painted paper ("a fresh green ribbon/ torn from a blade of elephant grass") help form a weaverbird's nest, while elsewhere a tiger's stripes fade into jungle. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Veronique Baxter, David Higham Associates. (Oct.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 3--At first glance, this oversize volume is extraordinarily eye-catching. It is drenched, page after page, in vibrant colors that realistically depict numerous creatures from around the world. A brief poem accompanies each of the featured animals. The verse--occasionally rhyming or free verse, and mostly rather forced--focuses on key characteristics of the beasts, although there are examples of the author using poetic license to anthropomorphize some of the critters. And therein lies the rub: the subtitle of the book implies it is for very young readers, yet the fonts used (much of the text is in script) and the interpretation of many of the poems will require an adult companion. For example, readers may not be familiar with terms such as canopy and pylon or ribbon, which, in this usage, really stands for a blade of grass. Each lyric may lead kids to seek out more information, and teachers could use the book with older students to demonstrate how poetry can convey information. VERDICT Large poetry collections with an interest in animal subjects may want to consider.--Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Jellyfish, flamingoes, butterflies; pandas, zebras, vipers. This beautifully illustrated oversize compendium will be a treat for anyone who likes to look at and think about the staggering variety of animals on this planet. Davies ('King of the Sky') has a degree in zoology and a clear passion for animal life.
—The New York Times Book Review

Paintings, poetry, and lyrical prose celebrate animals of all sorts...Horácek uses a variety of materials including wax crayon, acrylic and watercolor paints, and cutouts. The vibrant color and texture may remind some of the work of Brian Wildsmith. Each section ends with a spread of fast facts: characteristics of different animal groups; spots and stripes; parasites; eggs; and animals using tools. A treasure for readers of any age who delight in the natural world.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Davies and Horacek offer a striking poetic and visual tribute to the animal world.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The book's generous size and heavy, glossy pages provide an excellent showcase for the mixed-media artwork. The very large, colorful illustrations are impressive, and Horáek uses the space well, offering striking images of many species...Kids intrigued by animals will enjoy the art while absorbing some information along the way.
—Booklist

At first glance, this oversize volume is extraordinarily eye-catching...Each lyric may lead kids to seek out more information, and teachers could use the book with older students to demonstrate how poetry can convey information.
—School Library Journal

Styles move from the delicate glory of a dizzying array of beetles to a pack of expressionistic wolves to a cloud of silky, skeiny, nearly abstract jellyfish. While elementary readers may enjoy poring over this title on their own, its most satisfying use will be a listener's choice or section-at-a-time readaloud so viewers can gaze at the art uninterrupted while somebody else transmits the text.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

The text by Nicola Davies is wonderfully variegated, sometimes rhyming and always fresh and interesting... Petr Horacek's artwork is fabulous here: rich and vivid and full of touching, observant detail that draws the eye again and again.
—The Wall Street Journal