National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry edited by J. Patrick Lewis

Lewis, Patrick J. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry. Washington D. C.: National Geographic, 2012.

ISBN: 9781426310096

The “National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry” is, as expected, filled with breathtaking photographs.  This anthology would easily capture the attention of young readers and adults alike.  The selections are broken into sections: “the big ones, the little ones, the winged ones, the water ones, the strange ones, the noisy ones, and the quiet ones”.  These non-scientific animal classifications are a non-intimidating way to teach children about the animal kingdom.

The poems are written by a variety of authors including: Robert Frost, Jack Prelutsky, Emily Dickinson.  The forms and lengths of the poems are varying.  If this book were to be shared with the class, the variety of poems in the anthology is such that a poem could be selected to meet any classroom needs!

Moray EEL

Nighttime’s my bright time.

It’s head-out-and-bite time.

Give-shellfish-a-fright time.

Swim-quick-as-a-kite time.

Stay-out-of-my-sight time.

Or fins-up-and-fight time.

When I am the blight of the sea.

It’s switch-on-the-light time.

Height-of-my-might time.

Turn-mollusks-all-white time.

And wrap-them-up-tight time.

No-care-for-their-plight time.

Yes, nighttime’s my bright time.

Oh, nighttime’s the right time for me.

This particular poem has a distinctive rhythm and would be a fun read-aloud.  The pictures truly make this book.  An activity I’d like to do to accompany this book would also be focused on pictures.  I’d place the students into groups of three or four and head outside!  The students should find and take a picture of things that they find in nature.  After everyone has found a picture to inspire them, I’d ask the group to write a poem about the nature they encountered.  The groups would share their picture and poem with the class.