Animal Sense

by Diane Ackerman, Peter Sís (Illustrator)

A stapler with its tiny fangs
Cannot outwit orangutangs.
Rocks are very good at sitting,
but never walk or take up knitting.
Living things all feel and sense
their way through every happenstance. . . .


In this delightfully witty collection of poems, bestselling author Diane Ackerman shows how the senses shape and enrich
the experiences of all living beings. With enchanting illustrations by Peter Sis, Animal Sense is sure to capture the imagination of readers young and old.

Genres: Poetry, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2003

About the author

Diane Ackerman has been the finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction in addition to many other awards and recognitions for her work, which include the bestsellers The Zookeeper’s Wife and A Natural History of the Senses.

The Zookeeper’s Wife, a little known true story of WWII, became a New York Times bestseller, and received the Orion Book Award, which honored it as, "a groundbreaking work of nonfiction." A movie of The Zookeeper’s Wife, starring Jessica Chastain and Daniel Brühl, releases in theaters March 31st, 2017 from Focus Features.

She lives with her husband Paul West in Ithaca, New York.

Reviews

[Natalie Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animal Sense is a thin informative book that schools us (via verse) about the five senses, and how different animals use them to live. Just flipping through it, I leanred that impalas signal the heard that there's danger by kicking their scented ankles in the air! I never knew! Ackerman not only captures vital facts about each animal, but their energy and feeling in a relatable way using the language in order to engage the reader. For instance the impala's poem is in a quick staccato rhyme scheme, capturing the urgency and swift reaction of the prey alerting the herd!
The size of the book is interesting its not wide enough to hold an older child on your lap. More like a very small one, ages 0-5. So this leads me to believe that the book is meant for it to be read to children rather than matching the Lexile of an older child. Of course this small book can still be enjoyed by older children too. This would be fun to act out for older elementary school kids as part of a theater performance or tableau while other recite it.

[SaraKat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations. They were very simple and basic, but nice. The poetry--not so much. Some of it was interesting and each poem seemed to have pieces that I liked and some good imagery. I thought that the poems overall had rhymes that reached a little too far and didn't quite make it. Also, the rhythm of the poems wasn't pleasant to read aloud and felt awkward.

[Katie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to students in the primary grades. This poetry book is all about the 5 senses of all different kinds of animals. The book is split up into the 5 senses and the author writes a few poems about animals for each sense. This book is a fun way for kids to learn about their senses as well as learn more about animals.

[Alysse]

The book Animal Sense is a book full of poems that describe the sight, smell, touch, and taste that animals experience. The book describes different animals such as birds, dogs, deer, bees, and more. It describes their appearance and their actions in daily life. The book does a good job at using descriptive language and words that can help a reader envision the animal and their senses.

[Kelsey Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative poetry

[Christen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of poetry explores the five senses through animals poems and illustrations provided by Sis. Ackerman varies her use of rhyme schemes and meter for each poem, keeping it fresh and move the text along. Each poem offers original imagery, such as an owl being “a pair of binoculars with wings” under the section for vision, giving new insight into commonplace creatures children are familiar with. Each poem is accompanied by an illustration of the animal subject. Sis’s sparse pointillism uses one color and empty space to suggest the shape of each creature. The minimalist art invites readers to fill in the gaps with their own senses. Children will be delighted to look, feel, hear, taste, and smell their favorite creatures in a unique way. A few lines feel contrived in order to hold the rhyme schemes, but Ackerman’s strong use of metaphor and simile readily make up for this one caveat. 3-6 grade

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Diane Ackerman's writing and this poetry book is illustrated by the very talented Peter Sis. I'm a little confused about marketing this as children's poetry though as parts of it would never be understood by young readers. This, about whales and their hearing is beautiful but for kids? I don't think so. ...."trapped below the consciousness of air; hungry or wooing or lamenting slaughter, jazzy or appalled, they beat against the wailing wall of water, voices all in the marzipany murk, they swim, invisible but for their songs."

Four stars based on MY enjoyment but probably three for children.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The poems go from simplistic and childish to more interesting and looser, but none of them really seemed worth reading. The theme of the book is senses, but I found the book very much wanting in terms of teaching about animal senses. It may be hard for some children to discern what is factual and what is simply a poetic image. Also, the poetry isn't great in general. It doesn't have a good rhythm -- there are awkward lines and awkward rhymes.

[Wendy Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for anything about animals. This collection of poems by Diane Ackerman is informative and awfully cute without being sappy and cheesy. The illustrations are made up of dots and are quite interesting and complex, and yet they are quite simple.

The poem about flies is disgusting AND wonderful.

[Lorene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Adorable and fun to read! It makes you smile to read the funny poems.

[Nakitah]

Poems that talk about how different animals use their senses. This can be used to introduce the 5 senses that we have and students can brainstorm how we use ours.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry about the five senses.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poems are cute, the illustrations fab! I love Peter Sís!