Mixed Beasts: Rhymes and Pictures

by Kenyon Cox

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Kenyon Cox (October 27, 1856 – March 17, 1919) was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, writer, and teacher. Cox was an influential and important early instructor at the Art Students League of New York. He was the designer of the League's logo, whose motto is Nulla Dies Sine Linea or No Day Without a Line.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/cox-kenyon

Reviews

[Uri Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1904, Kenyon Cox published a book of simple black & white sketches accompanying brief poems about 33 imaginary animals, each of which has a name combining two animals (or one animal and something else). Examples include the octopussycat, the vampirishman, and the tomatocantelope. Cox's book can be read online here.

About 100 years later, Wallace Edwards created a picture book with the same title. He took 13 of Cox's poems and illustrated them with stunning color paintings, each of which also features one or more of 32 imaginary animals. Unlike Cox's animals, these 32 hybrids have funny names borrowed from real animals, such as the fruit bat, the turtledove, and the sockeye salmon.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this book a 2.5 stars if I could.

But this book was a fun read and the illustrations in my copy, despite being a bit rough looking, I feel fit the rhymes. The thing that bums me out and keeps me from giving it a better rating is the racism towards indigenous people, like in "The Indianaconda" and "The Cigartic Fox" and what I believe to be a stereotype of someone from Ireland in "The Vampirishman".

[Kat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful find that my young sons enjoyed. I was unfamiliar with the original Kenyon Cox verses until I browsed the front matter of this 2005 book and looked into it. That said, I found the verses blended with the imaginative, quirky and wonderful illustrations to be a fun read with my 4 and 6 year old. They found the names of the "beasts" to be quite entertaining. I personally found the illustrations really fun.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and amusing.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

my kids loved this book - beautiful illustrations - with picture search and word puns.

[Imy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got it signed by the artist

[BookChicGeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but weird nursery rhymes. Some of the mixed beasts were cute but others made no sense at all because they were mixed with inanimate objects instead of other creatures....weird. But then again this is also for children too haha!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for stories in the round, Mixed Beasts will bring peals of laughter with each new animal's description and illustration. The rich watercolor and gouache illustrations are beautifully surreal and readers may find they're looking at the book more than reading it. Astute observers will see several additional animals per page, not just the animal described in the poem. For example, the Camelephant (This is the ship of the jungle, / Whose form is much of a bungle. / He never is happy except when in bed, / for it takes all his strength to hold up his head.) also features images of a Cameleon (Chameleon + Camel) and a Cockatwo-headed bird (Cockatoo + Two-headed bird). The combination of these small details and the bright, bold illustrations help the book transition smoothly from a storytime book to a lap or by-myself book nicely. Best for 8-10 year olds.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love these collections of old prose or rhyme written for kids, teamed up with modern illustrations. This one didn't work so well. Sadly the rhymes let it down. Great mixed beast concepts, and marvellously illustrated. Some I found genuinely disturbing- Octopussy and Peanuthatch particularly. My particular favourites were Hornbillygoat, who looked regal and majestic in his misery, and the Pelicantelope delicately nibbling on sushi. I loved the clever A-Z at the end of other mixed beasts hidden in the illustrations.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An astounding compendium of rare and exotic beasts, as compiled by Professor Julius Duckworth O'Hare, Esq., the intrepid zoologist.

Each mixed beast profile has a delightfully insane illustration, and a Carrollesque poem to go with it.

Wonder at the Rhinocerostrich, chortle at the Flamingocart, and cower before the formidable sting of the Bumblebeaver! Before reading this, I advise you have a sip of Manatea to steady your nerves.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations by Wallace Edwards. The poems that accompany the illustrations are short but I think the concept of the book is for older children, six and up, unless they are being read to by a parent or caregiver who could explain or answer questions about the animals. The Creampuffin is my favorite animal :)

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic illustrated book that ignites the imagination and is fun for kids and adults alike. Illustrated by the great Wallace Edwards, it features creatures like the Creampuffin and the Bumblebeaver, depicted in bright colors and incredible detail. It's the type of book you could look at for hours and find something different and unique each time.

[Saunders Awards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a variety of styles of amusing poems (though with some anachronistic or advanced language for young readers) to go with the excellent illustrations of funny creature mash-ups. It is fun to figure out what each animal in the pictures is called, though kids would probably have a hard time with most of them (and adults with some of them). This book has appeal across many ages.

[Maija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book whenever I visit 3rd and 4th grade classes. It gets the kids imagining what animals they can combine together. I'm also building an artsy afternoon around it, but that's still int he works. It's one of my favorite books this year.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made my 4-yr-old giggle non-stop! Wallace Edward's illustrations are a goldmine for kids. My daughter and I can always find something more in them. Alphabeasts is another fave. Kenyon Cox's rhymes are outlandish and a bit dated, but still good fun if you also like Dr. Suess's "nonsense" rhyming.

[Khris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather bizarre creatures populate this picture book for children but it definitely piqued my 8-year-old son's interest...even he exclaimed, "That's weird!"

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd combinations of animals, like the rhinocerestrich, with poetic descriptions and beautiful illustrations. Great just to look at or use as inspiration for activity.

[Grete]

The illustrations and animal names are far superior to the mediocre, surprisingly unfunny light verse.

[Alida · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a second, this book seemed to be from the library of the White Rabbit. Whimsy for whimsy's sake.

[Jaimi Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! This book is a favorite at our house.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

So clever! I loved the imagination and creativity of this little book (even though the "creampuffin" made me sad). The "pelicantelope" was my favorite :)