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A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems
In a watery mirror
the rugged raccoon
admires his face
by the light of the
the mysterious mask,
the whiskers beneath,
the sliver of cricket
still stuck in his teeth.
Take a lighthearted romp through four seasons in the forest with these whimsical poems. Marvel at the overachieving beaver, applaud the race-winning snail and its perfect trail of slime, or head off to be pampered at a squirrel spa.
Deborah Ruddell's quirky cast of animal characters and Joan Rankin's deliciously daffy pictures will cause giggles. The woods have never been so much fun!
the rugged raccoon
admires his face
by the light of the
the mysterious mask,
the whiskers beneath,
the sliver of cricket
still stuck in his teeth.
Take a lighthearted romp through four seasons in the forest with these whimsical poems. Marvel at the overachieving beaver, applaud the race-winning snail and its perfect trail of slime, or head off to be pampered at a squirrel spa.
Deborah Ruddell's quirky cast of animal characters and Joan Rankin's deliciously daffy pictures will cause giggles. The woods have never been so much fun!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2009
2 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Ruddell
4Ìýbooks3ÌýfollowersDeborah Ruddell is the author of the celebrated picture books Who Said Coo?, illustrated by Robin Luebs, and A Whiff of Pine, A Hint of Skunk and Today at the Bluebird Cafe, both illustrated by Joan Rankin.
Before writing children’s books, she was an art teacher and a graphic designer. Deborah lives in Peoria, Illinois.
Before writing children’s books, she was an art teacher and a graphic designer. Deborah lives in Peoria, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 7, 2018
Some of the poems are quite good - I really liked the beaver one. Some of the poems are so-so. I do like the fact that some animals are female. Ilustrations are wonderful.
August 11, 2022
Well, it's no Joyce Sidman, but it is a delight. My favorite was October Surprise, at least until I read the irrelevant title and realized that it was a stretch to make the organization by seasons. That org. was not obvious.
January 30, 2015
Delightful tongue-tickling, toe-tapping poems featuring forest critters of all sorts and amusing, spot-on illustrations have made this book a consistent family favorite. We quote its oh-so-memorable descriptive lines when we spot a critter in the woods, and our Thanksgiving tradition is to read aloud the hysterically funny A WILD TURKEY COMMENTS ON HIS PORTRAIT.
Author Deborah Ruddell offers a plethora of classroom activities at her website, including a sensational classroom guide. Joan Rankin's detailed and colorful illustrations are sure to promote giggles!
You'll want to take a sensory-filled walk through the woods to see, smell, and listen to the wonder around you. I’d be remiss not to suggest tracing your hand and coloring a turkey in vibrant colors including copper, gold and raw sienna!
See full review here:
Author Deborah Ruddell offers a plethora of classroom activities at her website, including a sensational classroom guide. Joan Rankin's detailed and colorful illustrations are sure to promote giggles!
You'll want to take a sensory-filled walk through the woods to see, smell, and listen to the wonder around you. I’d be remiss not to suggest tracing your hand and coloring a turkey in vibrant colors including copper, gold and raw sienna!
See full review here:
December 10, 2017
This is a nice introductory book for children to animals that may live in the woods and one that will also introduce them to fun poetry. Although much of it rhymes there are a few places where the rhymes are lacking but there is a nice rhythm to help carry the poem for the reader while most of them are only a few stanzas thus helping the beginning reader of poetry to not get swamped.
At the same time what makes the book interesting is the fact that some of the poems are told by a narrative point where the narrator is more than likely human. These particular poems also mostly show up to have nice bright colored illustrations with young children of all ethnicities meeting the animal subject in their own habitat and thus showing them as being explorers. There are a few where the narrator can be human but there is no child subject in the illustration given to the reader.
The remaining poems are given from an animal's viewpoint and so they confront all kinds of quite interesting subjects such as behavior or exploration. In keeping with the poetry, the main animal subjects are like the abovementioned shown in beautifully colored illustrations although sometimes given as more childish versions than as realistic animals.
All in all quite a charming and enjoyable collection for young readers and one that will at least make for a nice read before a walk through a wildlife park or nearby woods.
At the same time what makes the book interesting is the fact that some of the poems are told by a narrative point where the narrator is more than likely human. These particular poems also mostly show up to have nice bright colored illustrations with young children of all ethnicities meeting the animal subject in their own habitat and thus showing them as being explorers. There are a few where the narrator can be human but there is no child subject in the illustration given to the reader.
The remaining poems are given from an animal's viewpoint and so they confront all kinds of quite interesting subjects such as behavior or exploration. In keeping with the poetry, the main animal subjects are like the abovementioned shown in beautifully colored illustrations although sometimes given as more childish versions than as realistic animals.
All in all quite a charming and enjoyable collection for young readers and one that will at least make for a nice read before a walk through a wildlife park or nearby woods.
March 10, 2017
No Awards
Appropriate grade level: 2-3
This book is a collection of poems about different animals. Some animals the poems are about include raccoons, beavers, and badgers. They are very short, fun poems!
I like this collection of poems. They are simple, yet fun for kids of younger ages. The illustrations are simple, but add an extra aspect to the poems.
You could use these poems in a classroom for transitions, because they aren't long. Also, you could teach about the outdoor animals that children might not know a lot about!
Appropriate grade level: 2-3
This book is a collection of poems about different animals. Some animals the poems are about include raccoons, beavers, and badgers. They are very short, fun poems!
I like this collection of poems. They are simple, yet fun for kids of younger ages. The illustrations are simple, but add an extra aspect to the poems.
You could use these poems in a classroom for transitions, because they aren't long. Also, you could teach about the outdoor animals that children might not know a lot about!
October 13, 2020
This is such a delightful read! The poems are whimsical, and though they follow the somewhat trite rhyme schemes and meter patterns typical in children's poetry, the imagery and use of language is often fresh and inviting. The illustrations are absolutely adorable, often adding additional humor to the poem itself.
This book is a lovely addition to any nature study or for those who are ecologically minded or just love the great outdoors! I would recommend it for PreK-3rd grade.
I have given this book a G rating. For more about my parental rating system, visit my website SmudgedPages.net.
This book is a lovely addition to any nature study or for those who are ecologically minded or just love the great outdoors! I would recommend it for PreK-3rd grade.
I have given this book a G rating. For more about my parental rating system, visit my website SmudgedPages.net.
October 23, 2021
Most of these are humorous and fun, and some of them would be great to copy into a nature notebook. The poem about the deer is simple and pretty, and several others elicited some chuckles.
Some favorites that might make it into my own nature notebook someday if relevant circumstances arise:
-"Eau de Forest: A Woodsy Cologne"
-"Ode to a Salamander"
-"Moonlit Raccoon"
-"October Surprise Party"
-"Chipmunks, Inc."
-"The Forest's Royal Family"
Some favorites that might make it into my own nature notebook someday if relevant circumstances arise:
-"Eau de Forest: A Woodsy Cologne"
-"Ode to a Salamander"
-"Moonlit Raccoon"
-"October Surprise Party"
-"Chipmunks, Inc."
-"The Forest's Royal Family"
October 24, 2019
I loved the poems in this book. One that I am looking forward to using I’m my class is “A wild turkey comments on his portrait.� I think it would be so fun to read this poem before doing our hand turkeys!
May 2, 2020
Trait: Organization, Idea, Word Choice
ATOS: 5.4
Lexile: 750
A beautiful collection of poems about their adventures in the forest. I really enjoyed the pictures in this books and how the book was fomatted.
ATOS: 5.4
Lexile: 750
A beautiful collection of poems about their adventures in the forest. I really enjoyed the pictures in this books and how the book was fomatted.
April 3, 2018
Great book to introduce poetry! The pictures and language are vivid, and there's a healthy amount of challenge with the vocabulary without it being too much. Quite enjoyed!
April 9, 2019
Enjoyed this whimsical book of poems about animal and nature.
April 26, 2025
A tour of the four seasons as described in twenty-two poems and several forest animals. This whimsical introduction to poetry will soon be a favorite to revisit many times over.
September 4, 2013
Picture Book Project
Category: Poetry (Picture Book)
Source: Teacher's Choice Award 2010
The students will like the quirky poems about these woodland creatures. Some are informational while others are just for fun.
The front jacket has several animals that you would find in the woods along with the title, author, and illustrator. The colors used are those you would normally see in the woods--blues, browns, grays, blacks, reds, oranges, whites. The animals look more cartoon-like than they do realistically. On the back of the jacket is a badger writing out a letter and hearts protruding upward from his head--he is clearly writing a love letter. There is also a picture of another book written by this author and 3 reviews from different sources that claim how wonderful that book is. The left flap of the jacket has one of the poems and a small summary of what you will find in this book. The right flap has a little bio of both the author and illustrator. If you remove the jacket, the cover has the exact same pictures on both the front and back. The end pages have the same pictures. It is of the animals in the woods. You assume that these animals are what the poems will be about. The illustrations are done in watercolor and there are two dedications mentioned. One of the dedications is for a blind opossum named Annie who visited schools. Before the poems begin, there is a Contents page with all of the titles of the poems listed. Each poem is about a certain woodland creature. Most of the poems are short and they all rhyme in an abab format. The poem is usually typed up on white space and most of the illustrations are on one page per poem. There are only three poems that use a double spread. Some of the poems are about these animals doing human-things, like writing a love letter, going to a spa, or eating with a plate and cutlery. The other poems are about the animals in their natural habitat and their daily lives.
I really liked this book. I think it's an easy read, but it's fun and enjoyable. It's different because it's a book of poems versus a story. These particular poems were amusing to me. I really liked the one about the turkey complaining about how children draw them by tracing their hands and coloring it in. The poems are short and simple, but very entertaining.
I would use this book to introduce abab poetry. I could also use this book to talk about the different types of animals you find in woods or I could use this book to talk about the woods. What would you find in the woods? What kind of animals? What kind of trees? What kind of insects?
Category: Poetry (Picture Book)
Source: Teacher's Choice Award 2010
The students will like the quirky poems about these woodland creatures. Some are informational while others are just for fun.
The front jacket has several animals that you would find in the woods along with the title, author, and illustrator. The colors used are those you would normally see in the woods--blues, browns, grays, blacks, reds, oranges, whites. The animals look more cartoon-like than they do realistically. On the back of the jacket is a badger writing out a letter and hearts protruding upward from his head--he is clearly writing a love letter. There is also a picture of another book written by this author and 3 reviews from different sources that claim how wonderful that book is. The left flap of the jacket has one of the poems and a small summary of what you will find in this book. The right flap has a little bio of both the author and illustrator. If you remove the jacket, the cover has the exact same pictures on both the front and back. The end pages have the same pictures. It is of the animals in the woods. You assume that these animals are what the poems will be about. The illustrations are done in watercolor and there are two dedications mentioned. One of the dedications is for a blind opossum named Annie who visited schools. Before the poems begin, there is a Contents page with all of the titles of the poems listed. Each poem is about a certain woodland creature. Most of the poems are short and they all rhyme in an abab format. The poem is usually typed up on white space and most of the illustrations are on one page per poem. There are only three poems that use a double spread. Some of the poems are about these animals doing human-things, like writing a love letter, going to a spa, or eating with a plate and cutlery. The other poems are about the animals in their natural habitat and their daily lives.
I really liked this book. I think it's an easy read, but it's fun and enjoyable. It's different because it's a book of poems versus a story. These particular poems were amusing to me. I really liked the one about the turkey complaining about how children draw them by tracing their hands and coloring it in. The poems are short and simple, but very entertaining.
I would use this book to introduce abab poetry. I could also use this book to talk about the different types of animals you find in woods or I could use this book to talk about the woods. What would you find in the woods? What kind of animals? What kind of trees? What kind of insects?
October 6, 2013
Summary: Jump from one quirky scene to the next as poem after poem about forest animal antics are described in a humorous and lighthearted manner.
Children will find these poems silly and endearing. From the rhyme and rhythm of each poem to the word plays and illustrations, these poems offer a unique and engaging approach to reading a story.
Author: Deborah Ruddell
Illustrator: Joan Rankin
Illustrations are done in watercolor
Award(s)/Honor(s): International Reading Association (IRA) Teachers' Choice Book (2010); ALA Notable Children’s Books (2010); School Library Journal Best Books of (2009); The Bulletin Blue Ribbon Books; Junior Library Guild Selection; CCCB Choices; NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (2010); Bank Street Best Books of the Year.
Fiction; Poetry
Grades: 1-3
Illustrations: Rankin’s use of watercolors to depict each poetic scene adds a whimsical quality not only to the pictures but also to the poems themselves. The illustrations allow the reader to “read� the story without even looking at the words on the page. Character facial expressions capture the essence of the mood in each poem.
Classroom Connections: This book would be a great book to help reinforce phonemic awareness in (K-1), just be sure to heed the above advisory. Each poem uses both word play and rhymes. This could easily become a class favorite for rereading for confidence building, fluency, and word familiarity. This would also be a great book to use as an introduction into poetry. The compilation of poems in this book is simple and clearly demonstrates rhyme and rhythm. This book should be used during read alouds at first but then offered as an option during independent reading.
Readers� Advisory: There is some content in which children may not be familiar with throughout the story. Teachers may need to take the time to discuss certain animals (e.g. Opossums, bandicoots, wallabies, salamanders, etc.) and where these animals might be found/from.
Children will find these poems silly and endearing. From the rhyme and rhythm of each poem to the word plays and illustrations, these poems offer a unique and engaging approach to reading a story.
Author: Deborah Ruddell
Illustrator: Joan Rankin
Illustrations are done in watercolor
Award(s)/Honor(s): International Reading Association (IRA) Teachers' Choice Book (2010); ALA Notable Children’s Books (2010); School Library Journal Best Books of (2009); The Bulletin Blue Ribbon Books; Junior Library Guild Selection; CCCB Choices; NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (2010); Bank Street Best Books of the Year.
Fiction; Poetry
Grades: 1-3
Illustrations: Rankin’s use of watercolors to depict each poetic scene adds a whimsical quality not only to the pictures but also to the poems themselves. The illustrations allow the reader to “read� the story without even looking at the words on the page. Character facial expressions capture the essence of the mood in each poem.
Classroom Connections: This book would be a great book to help reinforce phonemic awareness in (K-1), just be sure to heed the above advisory. Each poem uses both word play and rhymes. This could easily become a class favorite for rereading for confidence building, fluency, and word familiarity. This would also be a great book to use as an introduction into poetry. The compilation of poems in this book is simple and clearly demonstrates rhyme and rhythm. This book should be used during read alouds at first but then offered as an option during independent reading.
Readers� Advisory: There is some content in which children may not be familiar with throughout the story. Teachers may need to take the time to discuss certain animals (e.g. Opossums, bandicoots, wallabies, salamanders, etc.) and where these animals might be found/from.
July 30, 2014
I enjoyed Deborah Ruddell's book "A Whiff of Pine, a hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems" I think it's an easy read for both adults and children, lots of fun. It's unique because it's a book of poems not a story. These particular poems were entertaining to me. I really liked the one about the turkey complaining about how children draw them by tracing their hands and coloring it in. The poems are short and simple, but very entertaining.
As a teacher, I could also use this book to talk about the different types of animals you could find in the forest or I could use this book to talk about "The Forest" themselves. Every page you turn in this book is like peeking around a tree in the forest only to find another creature or critter peering back at you. You just never know who you are going to meet and what you might find them doing. You would never expect to find a squirrel at a spa being doted on by three mice buffing her nails and combing out her tail. There are the snails racing (if you can call it that) up and down the leaves leaving a "perfect trail of slime" behind. At night you might just be able to see the night owl. The illustrations are fantastic for any age group. They are funny and a wonderful introduction to poetry. The watercolors used are those one would typically see while in the forest....browns, blacks, oranges, reds, blues, greens, grays and whites. I would engage students in conversation by asking questions like "What would you find in the woods? What kind of animals? What kind of trees? What kind of insects?" Countless ways this book could be used. Simply lovely.
As a teacher, I could also use this book to talk about the different types of animals you could find in the forest or I could use this book to talk about "The Forest" themselves. Every page you turn in this book is like peeking around a tree in the forest only to find another creature or critter peering back at you. You just never know who you are going to meet and what you might find them doing. You would never expect to find a squirrel at a spa being doted on by three mice buffing her nails and combing out her tail. There are the snails racing (if you can call it that) up and down the leaves leaving a "perfect trail of slime" behind. At night you might just be able to see the night owl. The illustrations are fantastic for any age group. They are funny and a wonderful introduction to poetry. The watercolors used are those one would typically see while in the forest....browns, blacks, oranges, reds, blues, greens, grays and whites. I would engage students in conversation by asking questions like "What would you find in the woods? What kind of animals? What kind of trees? What kind of insects?" Countless ways this book could be used. Simply lovely.
May 12, 2011
Usually I don't like rhyming poetry very much. It always seems trite to me, I guess. But the poems in this picture book don't come across that way. They're clever, brief, and illustrated--all the things I would've needed in a book of poetry for it to keep my attention when I was a kid.
One of my favorites, and one that's perfect for use in the classroom around Thanksgiving, is "A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait", where the turkey complains about kids tracing around their hands to draw his portrait and painting him in dull colors:
I find it most insulting
that you traced around your hand
and colored all my feathers
either plain old brown or tan.
Where's the copper? Where's the gold
that a turkey should expect?
Where on earth is raw sienna,
and where is the respect?
Finally, I'm baffled
that you've made me look so dumb.
My head is quite distinguished
and it's nothing like a thumb.
Funny, and perfect for sharing with kids when they are creating those insulting hand turkeys for the holiday.
My other favorite is "The Forest's Royal Family":
In golden coats and velvet crowns
the deer inspect their royal grounds--
their breezy castles rising high,
their kingdonm built of trees and sky.
I like that one for the images it evokes of deer standing regally in the quiet of the forest.
Altogether, this is a quick and enjoyable read for kids, whether they think they enjoy poetry or not.
Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award 2012 Master List
One of my favorites, and one that's perfect for use in the classroom around Thanksgiving, is "A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait", where the turkey complains about kids tracing around their hands to draw his portrait and painting him in dull colors:
I find it most insulting
that you traced around your hand
and colored all my feathers
either plain old brown or tan.
Where's the copper? Where's the gold
that a turkey should expect?
Where on earth is raw sienna,
and where is the respect?
Finally, I'm baffled
that you've made me look so dumb.
My head is quite distinguished
and it's nothing like a thumb.
Funny, and perfect for sharing with kids when they are creating those insulting hand turkeys for the holiday.
My other favorite is "The Forest's Royal Family":
In golden coats and velvet crowns
the deer inspect their royal grounds--
their breezy castles rising high,
their kingdonm built of trees and sky.
I like that one for the images it evokes of deer standing regally in the quiet of the forest.
Altogether, this is a quick and enjoyable read for kids, whether they think they enjoy poetry or not.
Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award 2012 Master List
October 3, 2014
Ruddell; Rankin. (2009). A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. Margaret K. McElderry Books: New York.
Picture Book: Poetry
SLJ Starred Review
As a vast collection of poems, this book offers children many chances to see and use end rhymes in action. The book centers around forest creatures, as each poem is an ode to a certain animal. Many of the poems are very silly and children are sure to be entertained. For example, there's a poem called Proposal for a Squirrel Spa and A Wild Turkey Comments on his Portrait (he is not very happy with a child's drawing of him). While the book is amusing, and does contain some factual information about different forest creatures, for instance there's a poem about how to recognize a green tiger beetle, the book is not the best example of using meter properly, and there are not a whole lot of other good examples of poetic sounds, such as alliteration or assonance. The book's readability is about at the 4th grade level. But I think it would be a good way to introduce a poetry project to the class. Students could create a class poetry book about the animals in their community using the book's silly style and use of end rhymes.
Picture Book: Poetry
SLJ Starred Review
As a vast collection of poems, this book offers children many chances to see and use end rhymes in action. The book centers around forest creatures, as each poem is an ode to a certain animal. Many of the poems are very silly and children are sure to be entertained. For example, there's a poem called Proposal for a Squirrel Spa and A Wild Turkey Comments on his Portrait (he is not very happy with a child's drawing of him). While the book is amusing, and does contain some factual information about different forest creatures, for instance there's a poem about how to recognize a green tiger beetle, the book is not the best example of using meter properly, and there are not a whole lot of other good examples of poetic sounds, such as alliteration or assonance. The book's readability is about at the 4th grade level. But I think it would be a good way to introduce a poetry project to the class. Students could create a class poetry book about the animals in their community using the book's silly style and use of end rhymes.
March 25, 2010
There are many poetry books about the seasons, but A Whiff of Pine, A Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems offers a fresh perspective. Ruddell's personification of woodland creatures is truly unparalleled. Whether the poem is about fighting woodpeckers, a badger in love, suited chipmunks or caroling coyotes, readers are sure to be amused and awed by Ruddell's insightful, creative and informative descriptions. And Rankin's whimsical watercolor illustrations will give both nature lovers and the lighthearted a sense of peace and joy. Author and illustrator seem to marvel and delight in the natural world. I hope to see more work from this team in the future.
My favorite poems in this book are: "Eau de Forest: A Woodsy Cologne", "Biography of a Beaver", "Woodpecker Feud", "Dear Badger, Beloved--", "A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait", "Proposal for a Squirrel Spa", "October Surprise Party", "Chipmunks, Inc.", "The Forest's Royal Family", "Coyote Carolers" and "Woodchuck's Wake-Up Morning".
My favorite poems in this book are: "Eau de Forest: A Woodsy Cologne", "Biography of a Beaver", "Woodpecker Feud", "Dear Badger, Beloved--", "A Wild Turkey Comments on His Portrait", "Proposal for a Squirrel Spa", "October Surprise Party", "Chipmunks, Inc.", "The Forest's Royal Family", "Coyote Carolers" and "Woodchuck's Wake-Up Morning".
June 14, 2012
My 1st graders would love hearing this read-aloud! It is a terrific introduction of poetry as told by forest animals, along with details to learn about them. It would be fun to change how you read each poem, putting a "voice" to each animal. For Grades K-3.
Curriculum Connection: This book is a good cross-curricular choice, tying in poetry and science. Students will learn some facts about forest animals while enjoying some delightful rhymes. At almost a 5th grade reading level, it does have some higher-level vocabulary words that may need explained.
Citation: Ruddell, D. (2009). A whiff of pine, a hint of skunk: a forest of poems. New York NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Reviews: ALA Notable Children's Books 2010, Kirkus Reviews starred 01/15/09, Booklist 03/15/09(Vol. 105, No. 14), Library Media Connection starred 08/01/09, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 03/01/09, School Library Journal starred 04/01/09, Horn Book 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10
Curriculum Connection: This book is a good cross-curricular choice, tying in poetry and science. Students will learn some facts about forest animals while enjoying some delightful rhymes. At almost a 5th grade reading level, it does have some higher-level vocabulary words that may need explained.
Citation: Ruddell, D. (2009). A whiff of pine, a hint of skunk: a forest of poems. New York NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Reviews: ALA Notable Children's Books 2010, Kirkus Reviews starred 01/15/09, Booklist 03/15/09(Vol. 105, No. 14), Library Media Connection starred 08/01/09, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 03/01/09, School Library Journal starred 04/01/09, Horn Book 10/01/09, Wilson's Children 10/01/10
December 13, 2009
PreK-3 Read aloud/Independent reading
Ruddell takes us through the seasons in a forest full of different creatures big and small. The poems are rhyming and have sense of fun in them. The front endpapers are illustrated with the different animals seen in a forest, some peeking from inside and behind the trees. The pages have some white space drenched in beautiful watercolor illustrations. The poems have a sense of the moods of the different animals, ie the turkey is very disturbed by the fact that he is always drawn by tracing the hand. His face does not look like a thumb! Children will enjoy listening to the different poems about their favorite forest animal.
Language Arts/Social Studies
Students could research the hibernation habits of different forest animals.
Ruddell takes us through the seasons in a forest full of different creatures big and small. The poems are rhyming and have sense of fun in them. The front endpapers are illustrated with the different animals seen in a forest, some peeking from inside and behind the trees. The pages have some white space drenched in beautiful watercolor illustrations. The poems have a sense of the moods of the different animals, ie the turkey is very disturbed by the fact that he is always drawn by tracing the hand. His face does not look like a thumb! Children will enjoy listening to the different poems about their favorite forest animal.
Language Arts/Social Studies
Students could research the hibernation habits of different forest animals.
December 10, 2009
This is a fun collection of poems about the animals found in the forest. All the poems rhyme, although they are all done in different styles with different rhyme schemes. I really liked some of the poems - some are very funny and clever. Other poems I just didn't really like - sometimes the rhymes felt forced or overdone. (Or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for lots of rhyming poems when I read the book. I'll have to read it again later and see if my opinion changes.)
Overall, this is a fun book of poems. If I were going to read it to a child, I would pick and choose which of the poems I would read. But the good poems certainly make the book worth reading.
Overall, this is a fun book of poems. If I were going to read it to a child, I would pick and choose which of the poems I would read. But the good poems certainly make the book worth reading.
March 17, 2010
ALA ALSC Notable 2010
CCBC Choices of 2010
Pre-K-5
This reverent and hilarious collection of woodland poems explores the sometimes overlooked details-some real, some invented-of forest creatures: a squirrel's "teeny shoulders tied in knots; a raccoon's "sliver of cricket still stuck in his teeth; a woodpecker's "cutting remark."
Ruddell's poems are the perfect combination of rhythm, rhyme, humor, silliness, and wonder to inspire young readers, writers, and naturalists. One caveat: Deborah Ruddell is my aunt, and I think she is brilliant.
CCBC Choices of 2010
Pre-K-5
This reverent and hilarious collection of woodland poems explores the sometimes overlooked details-some real, some invented-of forest creatures: a squirrel's "teeny shoulders tied in knots; a raccoon's "sliver of cricket still stuck in his teeth; a woodpecker's "cutting remark."
Ruddell's poems are the perfect combination of rhythm, rhyme, humor, silliness, and wonder to inspire young readers, writers, and naturalists. One caveat: Deborah Ruddell is my aunt, and I think she is brilliant.
May 20, 2010
Charming nature poems about a variety of woodland creatures, including a wild turkey, squirrel, woodpecker, badger, and others. Many of them have a clever gag line at the end. But they bring smiles, not guffaws. Pleasant watercolor illustrations. Some favorites:
Chipmunks Inc.
They work all day
In pinstriped suits
Without a word of thanks,
Faithfully investing
In the Acorn Savings Banks.
And another:
Biography of a Beaver
Bucktoothed Cleaver
Tree Retriever
Building Conceiver
True Believer
Waterproof Weaver
Overachiever
Roll-up-her-Sleever--
Hurray for the Beaver!
Chipmunks Inc.
They work all day
In pinstriped suits
Without a word of thanks,
Faithfully investing
In the Acorn Savings Banks.
And another:
Biography of a Beaver
Bucktoothed Cleaver
Tree Retriever
Building Conceiver
True Believer
Waterproof Weaver
Overachiever
Roll-up-her-Sleever--
Hurray for the Beaver!
April 1, 2011
There's more than meets the eye to this one. Not only does it have entertaining poetry, but each poem is a unique type of poem (for example Haiku). This book has an explanation at the back of the different types of peoms. I did tell them about Haiku when we read a Haiku poem... I'd like to check this one out again and go over all the kinds of poems with my children... just didn't get to it... we read for fun.
This is a Beehive Nominee for 2011 (Children's Literature Association of Utah) in the poetry category.
This is a Beehive Nominee for 2011 (Children's Literature Association of Utah) in the poetry category.
February 14, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. The poems were whimsical, fun and portrayed the animals well. It personified them because it gave them character and you could relate to them or picture them with the great illustrations. I enjoyed reading this one the most of my 3 childrens poery books. I think it would be enjoyed for kids of higher and lower ages and grades. My most favorite one (and I think Valentine's Day has something to do with it) was the badger. He is writing another badger a love poem or note.
Overall a really nice book for the classroom.
Overall a really nice book for the classroom.
March 9, 2009
I enjoyed this collection. Lots of fresh and surprising images. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that I felt the co-hesion between poems was a bit loose. Perhaps there was a better way to tie these together than just a collection of poems about woodland creatures. Some of the poems anthropomorphized the anaimals and some did not. Great stuff, but perhaps it could have been a smidge better with the right direction.
January 31, 2010
with gorgeous illustrations and poems of the many creatures of the forest...from beaver,to toad, to wild turkey...a squirrel who proposes a spa day, and a race of snails...this poetry book was really delightful! I kept going back to many of the pages and just soaking in the colors.
Here's "Biography of a Beaver: Bucktoothed Cleaver/Tree Retriever/Building Conceiver/True Believer/Waterproof Weaver/Overachiever/Roll-Up-Her-Sleever/Hooray for the Beaver!"
Here's "Biography of a Beaver: Bucktoothed Cleaver/Tree Retriever/Building Conceiver/True Believer/Waterproof Weaver/Overachiever/Roll-Up-Her-Sleever/Hooray for the Beaver!"
June 4, 2010
In this delightful menagerie of poems, we meet a variety of forest animals. We learn their habits and get acquainted with their thoughts.
What I thought: Such a fun collection! The poems have just the right touch of humor to them. Kids will be sure to like them. The illustrations are great—realistic but playful. My favorite poems are:
“Biography of a Beaver�
“Moonlit Raccoon�
“Nobody’s Pet (A Word to the Wise from a Red Fox)�
“Chipmunks, INC�
What I thought: Such a fun collection! The poems have just the right touch of humor to them. Kids will be sure to like them. The illustrations are great—realistic but playful. My favorite poems are:
“Biography of a Beaver�
“Moonlit Raccoon�
“Nobody’s Pet (A Word to the Wise from a Red Fox)�
“Chipmunks, INC�
October 16, 2012
Notes: Good variety of poems about different animals in nature.
Book Review: Deborah Ruddell does a great job of writing poems about nature and Joan Rankin does a terrific job at illustrating the text. This book offers a lighthearted romp through four season in the forest with these whimsical poems. Good introduction to poetry for younger students.
Recommendation: This book would be good for a teacher who is talking about nature and poems or a student who likes nature.
Book Review: Deborah Ruddell does a great job of writing poems about nature and Joan Rankin does a terrific job at illustrating the text. This book offers a lighthearted romp through four season in the forest with these whimsical poems. Good introduction to poetry for younger students.
Recommendation: This book would be good for a teacher who is talking about nature and poems or a student who likes nature.
September 16, 2014
Ruddell, Deborah. (2009). A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. New York: Simon & Schuster
SLJ Starred Review
Poetry Book
This book of simple and fun poems takes the reader through the four seasons with different animals doing different activities. Some of the poems are funny, some are cute, and some are nostalgic. I would definitely recommend having this book in the classroom library. It was very enjoyable and great for a poetry lesson.
SLJ Starred Review
Poetry Book
This book of simple and fun poems takes the reader through the four seasons with different animals doing different activities. Some of the poems are funny, some are cute, and some are nostalgic. I would definitely recommend having this book in the classroom library. It was very enjoyable and great for a poetry lesson.
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