Ferocious Wild Beasts!

by Christopher Wormell

Jack is lost in the forest - a forest that his mum has told him is full of ferocious wild beasts! But the creatures that Jack meets a bear, a lion, an elephant, a crocodile, a wolf and a python, all seem perfectly friendly to him, even if they are a bit worried about these ferocious wild beasts he's been telling them about ...But then they hear a terrible roar...Who or what can it be?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Christopher Wormell is an English printmaker, principally known for his illustrated books.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the boy is named Jack, I'm reading this as an homage to the folk tales, in which the boy Jack outwits the ogres & other threats. Iow, I'd like to think he cleverly tricked the animals into concentrating on their own fears instead of on eating him.

But it reads even better if taken at face value. Very funny. I recommend you read it and tell me what you think.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how tongue-in-cheek this story was. Jack gets lost in the forest, despite his mom's warnings about ferocious wild beasts that live in there! As he tried to find his way out, he encounters one ferocious wild beast after another--bear, elephant, lion, crocodile, wolf, and boa constrictor--and yet, no one realizes they are the ferocious wild beasts mom meant! Each animal joins Jack in his trek out of the woods, because they too are scared of these supposed ferocious wild beasts. The icing on the cake, however, is that every time Jack meets one of these ferocious wild beasts and is induced to describe what might happen if one were to meet a ferocious wild beast, he describes what that animal would be likely to do. For example for the bear, he talks about the ferocious wild beasts being covered in hair and pouncing and gobbling people up. In the end mom comes into the forest with her hair wild and a bright light, frightening all the ferocious wild beasts away! She scolds Jack and he complains that throughout the entire forest he never met a single ferocious wild beast. A subtle lesson on stereotypes and judging people before we actually know them told through animals.

[Biblioteca Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Título: ¡Fieras Feroces!
Autor e ilustrador: Chris Wormell
Editorial: Juventud
Fecha de publicación: 2009
Número de páginas: 32
Género: Narrativa, Libro Álbum
Subgénero: Cuento
Área y categoría en la Biblioteca Alma: Bebeteca, literario.

Este libro cuestiona el significado de las palabras fiera y feroz, pues según la perspectiva de cada persona, así como la situación en la que se encuentre, éste puede cambiar.

Para el protagonista del cuento, un niño, lo temible no se relaciona necesariamente con las características de un animal “salvaje” como lo puede ser un oso, león o cocodrilo. Surge así una pregunta. ¿A qué o a quién le tememos cuando somos niños? Sobre todo después de cometer alguna travesura.

Encontrarás este interesante libro álbum en la sección de la Bebeteca “Lee Antonia” perteneciente a la Biblioteca Alma en Puebla, México.

[Rae Stoltenkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a dangerous world out there and don't you forget it.

[Mercedes Puelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estaba muy linda la ilustracion.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has me laughing and smiling the whole way through. My toddlers didn’t understand it, but I thought it was so cute and funny!

[Mikel Maeztu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy divertido el libro y muy cortito

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent picture book! This book has some lovely drawings that compliment the story really well. The story has a humorous element to it throughout and shows children that animals feel the same way about humans that humans feel about certain animals! A clever book, I would recommend!

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy lost in the woods fears running into the ferocious wild beasts his mother warned him about. He, in turn, warns a bear, elephant, lion, crocodile, wolf, and python about the ferocious wild beasts. They unite in avoidance of the beasts. The boy's mother soon finds and scolds him for being in the dangerous forest. He tells her that he didn't see any ferocious wild beasts.

What I thought: What a fun book! Wormell is playing on a child's understanding of an adult concept. The irony will be a hit with older kids. The story is slightly repetitious which makes it good for story time. The illustrations are great--soft colored and realistic.

Story Time Themes: Animals, Baby Sit & Sign Animals

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is lost in the forest - where he isn't allowed to go - because of the ferocious wild beasts that his mother says will stomp you flat, bite you, and gobble you up! A helpful bear finds Jack but becomes scared of his description of the ferocious wild beasts and what they will do. They go tramping through the woods, gathering more and more followers: an elephant, a lion, a python, etc. hiding from the ferocious wild beasts, until the scariest thing of all appears in the woods - and only Jack is brave enough to face it! Cute read-aloud for preschoolers.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parents sure do a number on their brave children by warning them of the dangers of the world. Jack's mother is no different. She has warned him of all the ferocious wild beasts that lurk in the woods at night and because of this, he should never go into the woods.

Of course, this makes Jack want to go in. And of course, he gets lost. Lucky for him, he finds some friends to help him out. No ferocious wild beasts as his mother projected.

My only objection is these animals don't naturally live in the same area, but what the heck!!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One evening Jack gets lost in the forest after disregarding his mother's warning about the ferocious beasts that live there. He encounters a bear, a lion, and many other frightening animals along the way. Surely these are the beasts his mother was talking about, but they seem kind and gentle. The story is drive by wonderful watercolor illustrations full of movement, emotion, and dark shadows. This book makes a great bedtime read, especially for a chid who is a a little nervous about monsters lurking in the night.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun tale about a boy lost in the woods. He meets a variety of animals, all of which would be considered "ferocious wild beasts," but is convinced that there is something out there even more ferocious, even more wild. It's a fun tale, with great illustrations. The animals are so expressive - you can see the worry and fear on their faces. Our girls liked this story, especially the ending (I won't spoil it for you.)

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a day and age when children--and their parents, for them--are afraid to go into the woods to play, it's refreshing to see a story where the "ferocious wild beasts" are mythical, scaring even the creatures considered to be wild beasts. And the fiercest of all, is the ferocious wild mother! This story of the wild animals teaming up with the little boy in their fear of the "ferocious wild beasts" is definitely one to share.

[Amy (Lost in a Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Jack wanders into the forest even though he was told not to because of the ferocious beasts inside. He doesn't know what a ferocious beast is though and he meets a lion, a bear and other animals and explains to them he's worried about the ferocious beasts. It gets funnier because then the wild animals become scared of the ferocious beasts as well. It's also a great book to read aloud, very fun.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome on so many levels. Huge, detailed illustrations? Check. Little-kid appeal? Check. Read-aloud ready? Check. And the ending is simply great. Because really, what is scarier than a wild, ferocious mom? Not much. Has the same aura of suspense as "Wolf's Coming," and I think this would make a fabulous puppet show!

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are worth the story, which is the usual subtle Wormell fare. At the end of the book I would ask "were there any ferocious wild beasts in this book?" and the kids mostly said NO. They are right!

[Lindsay]

wild animals, bears, elephants, lions, moms

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with great illustrations.

[Angela Randall]

See pictures of the pages of Chris Wormell's books in this article.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read aloud!

[Hillary Hayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable storyline and hilarious text. Great for adults and children alike. A very fun read aloud.

[Amar Pai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to The Gruffalo (in that it's about a bunch of predators getting tricked into thinking there's an even more ferocious predator after them) but not as funny or good.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read about a little boy who gets lost in the woods and tells all the animals he encounters about the 'ferocious wild beasts' of the forest!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorably, hilarious

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

read 11/04/15

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used in Bears preschool storytime 1/4/2017

[Vanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravilhoso!