In the Wild

The stellar team who brought us On the Farm present a companion book evoking creatures of the wild in simple, clever poems and vibrant woodcuts.

From the lion standing alone on the African savannah to the panda in a bamboo forest, from the rhinoceros with its boot-like face to the Arctic polar bear disappearing in the snow, the earth is full of curious and wonderful animals, each more extraordinary than the next. David Elliott’s pithy, lyrical verse and Holly Meade’s stunning woodcut and watercolor illustrations reveal a world of remarkable beauty and wonder — and offer an enticing introduction to both favorite animals and poetic forms.

The stellar team who brought us On the Farm present a companion book evoking creatures of the wild in simple, clever poems and vibrant woodcuts.

From the lion standing alone on the African savannah to the panda in a bamboo forest, from the rhinoceros with its boot-like face to the Arctic polar bear disappearing in the snow, the earth is full of curious and wonderful animals, each more extraordinary than the next. David Elliott’s pithy, lyrical verse and Holly Meade’s stunning woodcut and watercolor illustrations reveal a world of remarkable beauty and wonder — and offer an enticing introduction to both favorite animals and poetic forms.

Children's Literature

Elliott takes us into the wild to encounter fourteen creatures. Brief, carefully crafted verses, filled with awe and occasional humor, are accompanied on double pages with the powerful woodblock and watercolor illustrations, first of the lion: "In his eye/ the sunset glistens;/ when he roars,/ the wide world listens." Then we meet an elephant, giraffe, zebra, rhinoceros, sloth, jaguar, panda, orangutan, kangaroo, buffalo, wolf, and finally a polar bear, "...disappearing...disappearing in the snow." Meade suggests environments while focusing on natural poses for each animal. The blackness of the woodblocks creates solid structures as the transparent watercolors supply powerful flesh, windswept skies, or bamboo groves. These images provide the emotional content, too often missed in similar animal photographs, to enhance the poetry. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

David Elliott is the author of several books for young readers, including On the Farm, the acclaimed companion book to In the Wild; Finn Throws a Fit!, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering; and the New York Times best-selling And Here’s to You!, illustrated by Randy Cecil. He lives in Warner, New Hampshire.

Holly Meade has illustrated many picture books, including On the Farm, as well as the Caldecott Medal–winning Hush! A Thai Lullaby and its follow-up, Peek! A Thai Hide-and Seek, both by Minfong Ho. Holly Meade lives in Sedgwick, Maine.