Beast Feast: Poems & Paintings

This author/illustrator has a marvelous imagination, not to mention a knack for alliteration and quirky rhymes. As if the words weren't enough, the capricious illustrations add to the enjoyment of each page, each new "beast".The list is indeed a feast: the gamut of strange creatures, great and small, short and tall: the walrus, the anteater, the whale, the pigeon, the sloth, the toad, the kangaroo, mole and even the kiwi, each with eccentricities that engage and challenge children to learn about the variety of nature. And the creative rhymes (often producing unexpected giggles!) are accompanied by equally enchanting illustrations, colorful and humorous."I don't claim toLove the pigeonBut I like itJust a smidgeon."Florian's wonderful poems and paintings are perfect for reading to a child at bedtime, especially when that boy or girl, stimulated by sounds and colors, blurts, "Let me read it!" Beast Feast, like all of Florian's imaginative, fantastic books is a treasure to own, a joy to read."The kangaroo loves to leap.Into the air it zooms,While baby's fast asleepInside its kangaroom."Luan Gaines/2005.

Florian's poems, like others in this series (Insectopedia, Lizards, Frogs, & Polliwogs) are cute, fun, and to the point. Kids will love the little puns and plays on words as well as the simple but interesting drawings that connect to each. As a teacher, I love how many are shape poems, using font, how words appear on the page, font color, etc. to add to the meaning of the poem. My students love this book!

Her parents are both school teachers, and they loved it, too.

I love all the Douglas Florian books and this is no exception. It's such a joy as a parent to have something silly and fun to read to my son (2 years) that's chock full of educational information. My son absolutely loves all of these books...he'll page through himself and say bits of the rhymes.Beast Feast, Lizards, Frogs and Polliwogs and Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars, are his faves.The illustrations are funky and may not appeal to everyone, they're not really the usual bright and cheery stuff of children's books, but I think that also adds to their appeal. (I believe his books are categorized for older kids.)I would highly recommend this author to anyone.

My beautiful little triplet friends, having entered school only a couple years ago, are already avid readers. Books, one to each and a couple more for the family to share, are my contribution for all gift occasions. All the Florian books of whimsical nature poetry are huge hits, and bear repeating as their readers grow (we adults love them too). The kids read them to each other and then produce their own poems with the inspiration from Florian's wit and fine craft. The illustrations alone are an exquisite spur to look at the natural world with open eyes and open attitude. All children should be as lucky as these three little guys to have such rich resources for their brains.

You just can't go wrong with Douglas Florian. I purchased this as a gift for a third grader graduating from my multi-age class.

This is a great collection of poems for kids. I bought it for my 4 year olds, but it's a little too advanced for them. I will wait and try it on them in a few years.

On time and as described. I am very satisfied.