In the Wild

In the Wild presents a collection of poems about wild animals, from the anaconda to the zebra. Each poem focuses on a single creature and is accompanied by Holly Meade's woodcut illustrations. The verses capture distinctive traits and behaviors of animals through varied poetic forms and structures. Elliott's word choices mirror the movements and characteristics of each creature he describes. The book connects young readers to the natural world through accessible yet sophisticated poetry that avoids sentimentality. The combination of art and verse invites reflection on the diversity and wonder of wildlife, while maintaining scientific accuracy in its depictions.

Readers praise the simple yet engaging poems about wildlife that work well for young children. Parents and teachers note the poems' educational value in teaching both poetry structure and animal facts. Multiple reviewers highlight the illustrations by Holly Meade, calling them bold and memorable. What readers liked: - Short poems work for preschool attention spans - Poems incorporate animal sounds and movements - Works as both bedtime reading and classroom teaching - Appeals to children ages 2-7 What readers disliked: - Some poems seem overly simplistic - Limited information about each animal - A few readers wanted more complex vocabulary Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (426 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (21 ratings) "Perfect for teaching young kids about poetry structure," notes one teacher on Goodreads. An Amazon reviewer writes, "My 3-year-old asks for these poems repeatedly - the animal sounds make it interactive."

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman This collection pairs nature poetry with scientific information about nocturnal animals and their habitats.

Song of the Water Boatman by Joyce Sidman Each spread combines poetry and prose to explore pond creatures through seasons and life cycles.

Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre The text follows vultures through the sky while incorporating facts about their behavior and ecological role.

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman The poems and factual notes explain how animals survive winter conditions in their natural habitats.

On the Wing by David Elliott The verses focus on flying creatures from hummingbirds to bats, with information about their characteristics and behaviors.

🦁 "In the Wild" is part of a series of nature-themed poetry books by David Elliott, which includes "On the Farm" and "In the Sea." 🎨 The book features striking black-and-white woodcut illustrations by Holly Meade, who won a Caldecott Honor for her work on "Hush! A Thai Lullaby." 🐘 Each poem in the book focuses on a different wild animal, from mighty elephants to tiny bats, using various poetic forms to capture each creature's unique characteristics. 📝 David Elliott taught high school English for many years before becoming a children's author, and he frequently incorporates his love of teaching poetry into his books. 🌍 The animals featured in the book represent diverse habitats from around the world, including the African savanna, Arctic tundra, and Asian rainforests.