Overview
In A Barnyard Bestiary David Bouchard focuses his poetic insight on domestic animals - some rare, some extinct, and some still quite common. The thread that binds these animals together is the way their relationship with man has deteriorated with the passage of time. Through the voices of such familiar beasts as the Highland Cow, the Buffalo and the Ostrich, and exotics like the Blonde Mangalitza Pig and the Onagadori Chicken, he questions the wisdom of our deliberate neglect of these once-prized beasts whose usefulness belongs to another era. Kimball Allen's highly realistic and profoundly evocative paintings capture the exotic and unique nature of each of her subjects. This collection of sensitive poetry and spectacular art will delight and move children and adults alike.Synopsis
In A Barnyard Bestiary David Bouchard focuses his poetic insight on domestic animals - some rare, some extinct and some still quite common. The thread that binds these animals together is the way that their relationship with man has deteriorated with the passage of time. Through the voices of such familiar beasts as the Highland Cow, the Buffalo and the Ostrich, and such exotics as the Blonde Mangazalita Pig and the Onagadori Chicken, he questions the wisdom of our deliberate neglect of these once prized beasts whose usefulness belongs to another era.
Children's Literature
This book is physically lovely. The animals almost leap from the pages. The hair or feathers, tails, eyes, paws or hooves, noses or snouts, are all beautiful. Some of the animals are so totally ugly that they become charming. The free-verse poetry, describing (in the first person) how and where the animals live, or lived, or soon probably won't live, is more than touching, it's gripping. This is especially true of the ugliest animal of all--the Blonde Mangalitza Pig who admits "You'll undoubtedly have noted I was not bred for beauty...I somehow hoped I'd fascinate the few who care for rarities...who understand 'extinct' means now until forever...[and]...means I'll be lost forever." But I don't think this is a book for very young children. I found it rather distressing. Older kids, many of whom are aware of the role humanity has played in the destruction of habitats, and even of the animals themselves, might be truly disturbed by it. On the other hand, maybe if enough people react strongly, something might be done to save at least some of these endangered creatures.