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Animal Magic

 

Poems about incredible animals to be enjoyed by adults and children alike, with fascinating, often startling facts on each creature's behaviour patterns and endangered status.

 

"Read these poems and let Liz Brownlee's words delight and charm you. Enjoy them... read them to your children. This lovely book may well last longer than some of the creatures it celebrates..." 

 

Dr. George McGavin Zoologist and TV Presenter

 

 

I have just bought Animal Magic for my grandson. It would appeal to any child who likes animals, particularly 9-12 year olds I think, but any adult sharing this book with a child will find it a fascination and a delight. It's beautiful and very unusual - wonderful illustrations, clear and simple information about each animal and useful references. The combination of scientific information about endangered animals with poetry is very moving. The poems themselves are superb. Liz Brownlee writes with a sure, light touch, using wit, humour and lovely language. The shape poems are exquisite. It would be a great resource for any primary teacher, offering opportunities for developing a love of poetry, a sense of wonder at the natural world and ecological awareness.

 

Annie Fisher, Somerset Literacy Network

 

 

The structure of the collection is brilliant: each animal is given a double spread; on the left spread there is the animal's scientific name and an illuminating non-fiction entry which includes lifestyle facts, range and threats to its survival; on the right hand side are Liz's precise, delightful poems. Many animals are also illustrated by the cover illustrator, Rose Sanderson. Incidentally, Liz acknowledges the help of a huge array of species experts in her references - no wikipedia research here!

 

The facts and poem dovetail pleasingly; but more than this there is the painful, factual set-up and then the glorious celebration. Throughout this collection, it is the celebration that matters: these animals are endangered, but they are still here, they still exist and they should be marvelled over. And protected.

 

The poems themselves have a clean simplicity and conversational tone, while still being able to surprise. Many of them are funny, but others are very moving. Snow leopard, for example, catches a frozen moment in time that may not be with us much longer.

 

Have I shoved it into your hand enough? I do hope so. It's a wonderful collection and it deserves to find a keen audience. 

 

Elen Caldecott, Author

 

This is a fantastic book to be enjoyed by animal lovers of all ages. My Y6 class loved the poems and were enthralled to learn about some of the incredible creatures; there were gasps when I read the info about the Madagascan Robber Moth and its diet, and the poem became the catalyst for their own writing. Liz is a wonderful weaver of words, and every poem is a cracker! She can do the glacial beauty of 'Snow Petrels' and 'Snow Leopard' but also the gentle warmth of 'Orangutan.' A thought-provoking collection that should be in every school library - and on YOUR bookshelf!

 

Matthew Goodfellow, Teacher and Author

Animal Magic is illustrated by Rose Sanderson
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