The Horn Book Guide

LITERATURE

Maddox, Marjorie

A Crossing of Zebras: Animal Packs in Poetry

32 pp. | Boyds/Wordsong | April, 2008 | Trade ISBN 978-1-59078-510-2 $16.95

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Philip Huber. Each title of the book's fourteen animal-themed poems is the collective noun that describes the group, some commonly known (e.g., school of fish) and others obscure but satisfyingly appropriate ("tower of giraffes," "leap of leopards"). The writing will tease readers' imaginations about animal behavior. The poems are illustrated with realistic-looking animals in fantastical situations done in scratchboard with colored inks. Reading list. Websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo