A Bundle of Beasts

School Library Journal

Gr 1 Up Hooper has gathered unfamiliar collective nouns for groups of animals and defines each with an appropriate poem based on wordplay. ``A Skein of Wildfowl'' is crafted by a fast-knitting Grandma; ``A Cast of Hawks'' performs a play for its prey; ``An Army of Frogs'' patrols its bog. The poems and accompanying black ink line drawings adequately define the terms. Each of the 25 poems uses rhyme, with many different rhyme schemes and meters incorporated throughout the collections. The poems are fun and would add spark to etymology lessons. A good impetus for children to create their own group names and poems and to enjoy the magic of the English language. Cynthia Dobrez, Grand Haven Junior High School, Mich.