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"This author/illustrator team has created a zany and definitely peculiar zoo book. Choosing 16 lesser-known animals such as the Okapi, Manatee and Solenodon, Clark has filled each large, double-page horizontal spread with a humorous watercolor-and-ink depiction of an animal. Polisar's witty poems describe the unique characteristics of each creature. The verses are informative and thought-provoking, as well as funny. Ideal for group, individual and lap reading, this selection should spark interest in extinct and endangered animals and their habitats. A short glossary gives concise facts about each animal."

School Library Journal


"If you're not familiar with Barry Polisar's enchanting yet loony brand of children's poetry, try his books. There's nothing sugary about Polisar's writing. Zany and sophisticated, Polisar's poetry is a great way to show the child interested in poetry how much fun you can have writing verse. But it's also an education about the topic of his rhymes."

First Coast Parent Magazine
Jacksonville, Florida


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Peculiar Zoo

by Barry Louis Polisar

illustrated by David Clark

$14.95, 32 p. color illustrated.

ISBN# 0-938663-14-3



"Polisar fans will be delighted. His sly rhymes inform the reader even as they poke fun at their subjects"

--Publishers Weekly




Written entirely in verse, Peculiar Zoo is filled with intriguing facts about an extraordinary array of uncommon animals from Dik-Diks to Zebus. Young readers will discover the Numbat, who has more teeth than any other animal, but swallows his food whole; the Proboscis Monkey with its long nose that it must move out of the way in order to eat; and the Naked Mole Rat, who is pictured stretched out on a divan, shielding herself with feathers.

Featured in Ranger Rick Nature Magazine in a special two page spread, this bestiary goes far beyond "A is for Ant and B is for Bear" and ventures into a delightful world of truly exotic and unusual animals.

Barry's witty and thought provoking poems were featured on Barbara Bush's national radio show on ABC, Mrs. Bush's Story Time and introduce children to some of the oddest creatures in the animal kingdom--including many rare and endangered species.




Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Okapi"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Caiman"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Numbat"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Frilled Lizard of Australia"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Dik-Dik and the DoDo"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Goosefish"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Proboscis Monkey"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Manatee"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Solenodon"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Three Banded Armadillo"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Warthog"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Naked Mole Rat"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Emperor Penguin"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Yakow"



Press arrow to hear Barry read his poem "The Zebu"