The Animal Fair

by Alice Provensen (Author & Illustrator), Martin Provensen (Author & Illustrator)

Join in on a lively look into the animal world. Twenty-two original stories and poems by Caldecott-winning artists Alice and Martin Provensen take you on a merry romp through farmyard, zoo, and forest. Here you will visit the barber for a lion's hair-cut, meet a tiger having a very unhappy birthday (no one is brave enough to come to his party!), and outsmart a wily fox. There is even useful and humorous advice, including "How to Recognize a Wolf in the Forest" and "How to Sleep Through the Winter." And, of course, all of these poems and tales are surrounded by the authors' engaging and ingenious art. Full of fun and imagination, this remarkable collection is sure to enthrall and delight all ages--a wonderful addition to any storytime.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Alice Provensen collaborated with her late husband, Martin, on numerous highly acclaimed picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning The Glorious Flight and Nancy Willard's Newbery Medal-winning A Visit to William Blake's Inn, which was also a Caldecott Honor Book. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times.

Reviews

[David Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything written and/or illustrated by the Provensen pair is worth your time. Some of the best illustrations you'll find, and here they're paired with a bunch of silly animal poems of mostly high quality.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a way, I loved this. Smart, engaging, wise, funny. But it's def. not as beautifully illustrated as the Provenson's Maple Hill Farm books, and there are problems. For example, there's a lion hunter, and a terrifying wolf, and it is so oversize I don't know how a child could enjoy it (at least the newer release is). If you remember it, leave it there in your nostalgia memory file... if you don't, skip it.

[John Martz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-star rating for the illustrations alone.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems, little stories, and clever illustrations.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the Provensens' illustrations, and this was no exception. The sense of geometry and texture are so much fun. On top of the charming pictures, the poems and stories here (though they varied in quality) were overall unusual and quite funny.