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The Carnival of the Animals



Last updated Monday, March 26, 2012

Author: Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Date of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 037586458X
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Apr. 2012

Synopsis: From Amazon.com
Prelutsky has created a group of poems that match the animals that Saint-Saëns portrayed in his famous classical work, composed in 1886. Read alone or in tandem with the accompanying CD, the sounds of the animals come through in the poetic form with Prelutsky's use of repetition, alliteration, and carefully placed line breaks.

Discussion topics:
•  Describe your favorite animal.

Vocab:
•  regal: resembling a king
•  prattle: babble
•  undulating: wave-like movement
•  sup: to have supper
•  unprecedented: never before seen event
•  demented: crazy
•  unsavory: does not taste good
•  ponderous: heavy
•  monotony: doing something over and over again
•  jubilant: very happy
•  bray: make a loud and harsh sound
•  unwitting: accidental
•  cultivate: to work on something to make it grow
•  warble: to sing or whistle
•  knack: a special skill
•  beguiling: to pass pleasently
•  evanescent: fading away
•  acqueous: watery
•  epitomizing: a good example of something

Craft ideas:
•  Animal Mobile: Glue two popsicle sticks together in the shape of an "X," glue ribbon strips to the ends of each stick and attach paper animals to the ribbon. (GLCs, let us know if you want popsicle sticks and ribbon.)

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!